McCann is the star of Jefferies' latest conjuring act

By JIM KEAN

31 Jul 1996

HEARTS manager Jim Jefferies yesterday had the revolving door at Tynecastle in full swing, with three players coming in and four leaving.

In came Falkirk defender David Weir, Norwich midfielder Jeremy Goss, and the biggest surprise of all, Dundee winger Neil McCann.

Out went Brian Hamilton, Craig Nelson, Neil Berry, and young striker Stuart Callaghan.

"It's been Paul Daniels stuff trying to pull all this together, but it's been worth it," said Jefferies after conjuring up yet another transfer deal for a club reputedly with no money.

A few jaws dropped when McCann appeared at the morning press conference.

"I was due to fly out to Austria this week and sign for Sturm Graz.

When Hearts came for me, it was great, because my preference has always been to stay in Scotland," said the under-21 internationalist.

But he warned: "I'm not here as a replacement for Allan Johnston, who was such a big favourite with the fans.

I'm a totally different player and I'll be my own man." Jefferies refused to disclose how much he paid for him, but with Dundee set to get nothing if the player had gone abroad, the Hearts manager did admit he'd got himself a bargain.

Dundee manager Jim Duffy was given permission to try to persuade winger Callaghan to move to Tayside, while Hamilton and Nelson definitely are Brockville-bound as part of the Weir deal.

They could be joined at Falkirk by Berry, who has been released by Hearts as a thank-you for his 12 years of service.

Weir, who was also wanted by Hibs, Aberdeen, and Dundee United, can now team up again with the man who gave him his chance in senior football.

"The fact that Jim Jefferies was here played a big part in my decision.

I enjoyed my time with him at Falkirk," he said.

Tynecastle fans will get their first glimpse of all three new signings in the challenge match with Porto tonight, although it could be a few weeks yet before they see the best of Goss.

"It's been an extremely unsettling time for me recently and I've only had about four days of real training," said the 31-year-old.

"But after 14 years in England, I was getting a little stale and I needed a change." Jefferies may not be finished, with Norway striker Egil Ostenstad still a target.

Taken from the Herald