VLAD:I TRIED TO SIGN GARRY

HEARTS owner Vladimir Romanov made an audacious late bid to sign former Hibs striker Garry O'Connor as the transfer window was closing last week, it was revealed last night.

Romanov's move came because he had been given initial encouragement from LokomotivMoscow after the Russian club intimated they were ready to do a deal.

O'Connor is playing regularly for Lokomotiv and was on target for Scotland in the 6-0 demolition of the Faroe Islands at Celtic Park on Saturday during the Scots' Euro 2008 opener.

Rumours have circulated in Russia recently that O'Connor has found it difficult to settle in Moscow after his £1.6million move in March.

Romanov said: "I wanted to buy O'Connor but the deal didn't happen. I was in Moscow on August 26 to see him play for Lokomotiv against Luch- Energia Vladivostok. He looked good after coming on as a substitute and scoring."

Romanov revealed it was during that game that he held discussions with Lokomotiv president Valeri Filatov about a possible transfer.

The Hearts chief said: "Filatov said he would get back to me on the Monday regarding an offer. Monday came but there was no word back."

Romanov returned to Moscow two days before the transfer window closed but insisted by then "it was really too late to do anything".

However, he did not rule out another attempt to try to secure O'Connor during the January transfer window and said: "I'll think about it when the time comes."

He had hoped to get another chance to see O'Connor play tomorrow when Scotland face Lithuania in Kaunas but the striker has been ruled out of the game due to illness.

Hearts sources last night stressed the bid to sign O'Connor was a clear indication of the club's ambition to buy top players.

Some fans had been disappointed there were no bigname signings as the transfer window closed last week.

O'Connor would be an expensive proposition for Hearts - he cost Lokomotiv £1.6m in March and is on a five-year deal reputed to be worth around £16,000 a week.

But the player has admitted to having difficulties with the Russian language despite being a regular in the Lokomotiv team and scoring goals.

He has a smart flat close to where former Soviet leaders Leonid Brezhnev and Leonid Andropov once lived.

O'Connor told a Russian newspaper recently: "In terms of day-to-day life it's much easier now.

"I know what to find and where. But as far as the communications problem is concerned I must admit progress is still not so good.

"It wasn't easy to find the right Russian teacher for me. I understand some things but it's still not nearly enough to feel confident in this big city."

O'Connor's agent, former Hearts and Scotland hero Gary Mackay, refused to comment on the prospect of the ex-Hibs striker opting for a switch to his one-time capital city rivals.

Mackay said: "As Garry's agent I think it would be wise to maintain a dignified silence."

Taken from the Daily Record