Jorg: I still have what it takes to be Hammer for Hearts

JORG ALBERTZ today issued a come-and-get-me plea to Hearts by revealing a powerful desire to end his football career back in Scotland.

The German midfielder has just left second division club Greuther Furth in his homeland and is searching for a new employer at the age of 34.

He was due to meet with officials from lower-league German club Fortuna Dusseldorf, who covet his signature, this afternoon, but also welcomed recent speculation claiming Hearts and Dundee United are keen to return him to the SPL.

Albertz had his five years at Ibrox heavily peppered with trophies in the late 1990s and departed in 2001 a legend in the eyes of Rangers supporters due to his talented left foot and trademark free-kicks.

He admits a move to the Capital in particular is most appealing.

"It would be an honour for me to play for Hearts. I remember scoring a few goals against them," he laughed. "But Tynecastle is a beautiful stadium in Edinburgh and there was always a great atmosphere there.

"I’m not getting any younger but I am still fit enough to play for a year or two, and if these clubs are interested in asking me to help them then it would be perfect for me to get the chance to finish my career over in Scotland. That would be beautiful. Hearts are a very good club so both of these teams would interest me.

"It is not every club that I would play for in Scotland, but if I had the opportunity then, of course, Hearts and Dundee United would be intriguing."

Richard Gough had a failed attempt at luring Albertz back to Scotland last November whilst manager of Livingston, and the former German internationalist went on to take Greuther Furth to within five points of promotion to the Bundesliga.

His reputation remains strong in Germany where he also enjoyed two spells with Hamburg on either side of his time in Glasgow. On top of that, Albertz has sampled the Chinese league, spending two years with Shanghai Shenhua.

He continued: "I have had interest from some German clubs, including Dusseldorf, although none of them in the first or second division here.

"The attraction with them is that I could stay home, and I will meet with them today so it gives very short notice for Hearts or Dundee United.

"It would be very nice for me to play in Scotland again and everybody knows how much I love the country. It is a possibility."

Given his veteran status, Albertz is realistic enough to accept the improbability of him being able to touch the on-field heights that saw him revered at Rangers.

But for a player never renowned as a workhorse even in his prime, he assures any prospective new club of nothing other than an honest day’s toil.

"I am not a dreamer," said Albertz. "I’m always telling the truth. I can still help a team and play good football, and I’m confident enough to say I would still be a good player in the SPL.

"I haven’t been to Scotland for a while and the people there haven’t seen me play for such a long time, so I must be honest; I can still play football and I am fit enough, but whether I would be the same player I was at Rangers I don’t know.

"The money situation is fine. It’s not that I’m looking for too much money, and I am a free transfer anyway as I am out of contract, so I think there are a few clubs who could afford me."

Taken from the Scotsman