Edinburgh rivals Hearts and Hibs are battling it out to sign Carlisle United captain Morgan Feeney, according to latest reports.

The Scottish Premiership duo are both keen on the defender, who is weighing up his options after the Blues’ promotion season.

Feeney has been linked with a number of clubs north of the border and the Daily Record today claims that Hearts have now joined the race.

It follows previous reports that Hibernian boss Lee Johnson was at the front of the queue for the 24-year-old.

Feeney was offered a new deal by Carlisle at the end of last season.

But he indicated to the Cumbrians that he wanted to explore interest from elsewhere, after two-and-a-half seasons and 77 appearances for the club.

United boss Paul Simpson has not closed the door on Feeney staying but said Carlisle are moving on in terms of lining up transfer targets in his position.

The Record also credits Motherwell, Ross County, Livingston, St Mirren and Aberdeen with interest in the Blues skipper.

Manager Simpson, speaking earlier this month, said United had made Feeney a “very generous offer” to remain at Brunton Park in League One.

“Morgan has told me that there’s been some interest from other clubs and he wants to see if anything comes from those enquiries. That means he hasn’t been able to commit to us,” Simpson told the United website.

“We’re in a situation where we need to know where we stand as a club, and that means we have to move on and continue to look at the other options we had in mind should something like this happen.”

A move to Hibs would see Feeney team up with former Carlisle striker Harry McKirdy.