Austrian clubs keen on flogel

HEARTS’ Austrian midfielder Thomas Flogel could be set for a return to his homeland if talks aimed at extending his stay at Tynecastle break down.

The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has opened initial discussions with the Gorgie outfit over the possibility of a new deal.

Flogel is one of six first-team players whose contracts expire at the end of the season and boss Craig Levein has already spoken of his doubts about being able to hang on to the services of all of them.

The Jambos chief will not know for certain how much he can afford to splash out on new agreements until a TV sponsorship deal has been thrashed out with the SPL clubs.

And he realises that he is powerless to prevent those players discussing possible pre-contract moves with clubs outwith Scotland.

Flogel left Austria Vienna four-and-a-half years ago to try his luck with the Gorgie outfit and has impressed everybody with his versatility, playing in a whole range of positions during his stay in the Capital.

Although his preference is to remain at Tynecastle - and Levein rates him highly - his former employers are currently keeping tabs on the situation and are waiting to swoop if given any signs of encouragement that the current talks are not going as Flogel would hope.

Rapid Vienna are also believed to be interested in the midfielder, who would jump at the chance of heading back to Austria should there be no future at Hearts.

"I would like to stay and play another two or three years with Hearts, but there is also the possibility of going back to Austria for my family," he said.

"A couple of Austrian First Division clubs have offered me something but I would prefer to stay in Scotland for now."

Levein, meanwhile, has spoken of his admiration of the progress of Livingston, who provided the opposition at Almondvale this afternoon.

The West Lothian outfit have enjoyed a memorable first season in the SPL, Jim Leishman’s side currently sitting in third place.

" Who would have thought that after the turn of the year we would be going to Almondvale as the underdogs and Livingston the odds-on favourites for the match?" he said.

"It just shows the remarkable progress they have made under Jim Leishman, Davie Hay and John Robertson.

"It has also been due in no small way to the chairman Dominic Keane as his foresight has certainly been driving the whole place forward. I have the utmost respect for everybody there and all that they have done in such a short period of time."

ENGLISH Football League chairman Keith Harris has stated he would like the Old Firm to play in the Worthington Cup.

Harris said: "I do find the concept of Rangers and Celtic entering the Worthington Cup one that would fill most of us with enthusiasm. I don’t see the hurdles being too high and we have the luxury of a few months before we make a decision."

Taken from the Scotsman