Dylan McGowan to sign Hearts contract extension HEARTS are preparing to extend Dylan McGowan's contract for next season, the Evening News can reveal. The young Australian is seen as an important part of the club's future and will be given a new deal before his current agreement expires in June. McGowan's existing contract includes an option allowing Hearts to re-sign him for a further 12 months. He has impressed coaching staff in 18 senior appearances this season and Tynecastle officials are now ready to grant him an extension as reward for his progress from the Riccarton youth academy. McGowan's versatility means he can play full-back, centre-back and midfield - an attribute Hearts want to keep with some other more experienced players expected to leave on freedom of contract in a matter of weeks. The 21-year-old arrived in Edinburgh from the Australian club Para Hills Knights in 2008, following his older brother Ryan to Scotland. He has emerged from the academy to play regularly at first-team level this season and will now be offered the chance to commit his future to Hearts. Manager Gary Locke suspects the full potential of the younger players like McGowan will not be realised until next season. A host of Riccarton graduates have been promoted to the first team this year but Locke believes the experience will serve them best in the 2013/14 campaign. Saturday sees Ross County visit Tynecastle in the final round of matches before the Scottish Premier League split. Hearts are already consigned to the bottom half of the table, although Locke has been at pains to stress there is still plenty at stake for his players - particularly those who want contracts for next season. He is pleased with the progress of youngsters like McGowan, Jamie Walker, Jason Holt and Kevin McHattie and predicted further improvement next season when their initial bedding-in period at senior level is over. "All the young lads have been growing in stature," Locke told the Evening News. I think we'll be a far better team next season for the fact these young lads are getting a lot of experience this year. Jamie Walker has been a positive player for us and can make things happen. Even on a difficult surface at Pittodrie last week, he looked really lively. Kevin McHattie has been great this season and has played very well recently. Being a young lad, he's our first-choice left-back at the moment with Danny Grainger being injured. He was given a tough time against Aberdeen but, to be fair to him, he stuck at it.