Robertson opens talks over Miller

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss John Robertson is set to sign loan star Lee Miller on a permanent deal, the Evening News can reveal.

The Jambos chief has opened discussions with Bristol City boss Brian Tinnion and is confident of keeping the in-form striker beyond the summer.

New owner Vladimir Romanov has opened the purse strings for Robertson to try to persuade the former Falkirk front man to head back north of the Border - and the Tynecastle gaffer is hopeful that will happen sooner rather than later.

"I have spoken to Brian, who I know from my playing days at Newcastle, and things are looking very positive," said Robertson.

"He is obviously Bristol’s player and we will have to negotiate with them but we are confident something can be sorted out."

Miller has impressed since his arrival in the Capital last month, smashing five goals in eight outings as Hearts closed the gap on Hibs in third place and stormed into the quarter-finals of the Tennent’s Scottish Cup.

He has formed a potent partnership with Dennis Wyness and has made fans quickly forget the disappointment felt at the departure of Mark de Vries.

Robertson has been delighted with his displays and is looking forward to seeing many more in a maroon jersey.

"I have spoken to his agent who’s told me Lee is very happy with the way things have gone," he said. "The fans have taken to him and he is enjoying the way we are trying to play.

"There is still a bit of work to be done to get him here permanently but it’s looking very positive."

The news that Miller is set to pledge his future to the Jambos is a major boost ahead of tomorrow’s SPL trip to Motherwell, a team Hearts have yet to beat this season after three defeats from the Steelmen.

The Gorgie outfit turned in a superb display in turning over Kilmarnock in their Tennent’s Scottish Cup fourth-round replay on Wednesday at Rugby Park and Robbo is looking for more of the same to keep the pressure on the Hibees.

"It is big game after big game for us just now and we can’t afford to let up," he said. "We have got ourselves through to quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup and back into a challenging position in the league.

"We don’t want to fall further behind Hibs so it’s important to get a good result at Fir Park tomorrow."

He added: "It will be tough. There is always an opponent, who, for some reason or another, a team doesn’t get a result against. Unfortunately for me that has been Motherwell as both games I’ve been in charge against them so far we haven’t got the results we have deserved.

"We have played well but it just hasn’t gone for us. We will go there and be positive and try to win the match.

"It has been difficult to maintain the level of performances which has seen us qualify for Europe for the past two seasons given everything which has been going on at the club. But what the players have managed to do consistently is keep their minds focused on the job in hand and that’s what we have to do tomorrow."

Taken from the Scotsman