McGowan has been linked with a move to the English Championship in recent weeks.

"I'm happy and settled here and want to land another deal at Tynecastle," said the 22-year-old in the Daily Record.

"I'll have to see what the club wants to do, but I certainly want to give them the first option because they believed in me and I'm not inclined to walk away from them.

"I would like to stay for another couple of years and improve my game further. I am already a better player now than I was 12 months ago.

"I know we have great players in every position, but I feel I'm coming off a good season with Hearts - winning the cup was incredible - and I have something to build on."