Burley in the frame to land Hearts hot-seat

HEARTS could make a move for former Derby County boss George Burley as they continue their search for a new manager.

With Sir Bobby Robson having rejected the chance of a move to Tynecastle, the 49-year-old has emerged as a serious contender for the Gorgie hot seat in the wake of his shock resignation from Pride Park yesterday.

Citing "an ongoing issue which has proved impossible to resolve", Burley severed his ties with the Coca-Cola Championship side after two years at the helm.

The Scot insisted he’d had no contact with Hearts prior to his exit from Pride Park, although the Tynecastle board are understood to be monitoring his situation with Millwall also on the look-out for a new manager.

"There have been about a hundred million people asking if I’m going to Hearts but I have had no contact with them," he said.

Preston boss Billy Davies is another highly-rated Scot who could be in the frame for the head coach role, while it is understood the club is hoping to sound out former Parma coach Nevio Scala by the end of the week.

Ex-England boss Robson met chief executive Phil Anderton on Friday to discuss the club’s position but yesterday informed him he would not be pursuing the matter further for family reasons.

While disappointed at Robson’s rejection, owner Vladimir Romanov has vowed to bring a big name to Tynecastle.

"We were interested in Sir Bobby but you don’t choose him, he chooses you," he said. "We are trying to bring the best coach we possibly can to Hearts. We will not hurry and will be very selective. It would be fantastic to have someone in for the start of pre-season training but if we have to take a bit longer, it’s a chance we’ll have to take."

Meanwhile, winger Joe Hamill was today expected to sign a one-year deal with the Jambos.

Taken from the Scotsman