No transfer cash limit

GEORGE BURLEY will be handed the largest transfer budget in Hearts' history in an attempt to help Vladimir Romanov realise his Tynecastle dream.

The Evening News understands that the Lithuanian owner is willing to bankroll Burley's summer recruitment to the tune of up to £3 million with potential signing targets already identified.

Hearts will not be held to ransom for any player, but the club hierarchy have instructed their new manager to unearth the men he wants and then report back to them for a yes or no on whether they are willing to finance a deal. Chairman George Foulkes said today: "We haven't given George Burley a limit as such. What Mr Romanov told me is that, if we find the players, then he will come across with the money, and I have no reason to disbelieve him.

"George is aware of that and he is working on the players he needs. There is money there if he needs to spend it but it is important that we get the correct type of players at Tynecastle and, if there is a fee involved, we will not be paying over the odds."

Burley has a sizeable number of signings to secure, admitting that "at least six or seven" are required if he is to make a decent impression in his first season back in Scotland. However reports claiming that he has targeted Feyenoord striker Danko Lazovic have been revealed as inaccurate.

The Serb cost the Dutch club £4.5m from Partizan Belgrade two years ago and, even if they were willing to sell, they would be looking to recoup most of that figure.

Lazovic has been unable to command a regular place at Feyenoord due to the scintillating form of Dutch internationalist forward Dirk Kuyt, however he still holds an important role In Rotterdam.

A source inside Feyenoord admitted: "It is the first time I have heard of any interest from Hearts and I would be surprised if it was true. Danko has not played from the start too much but he cost a lot of money and the club value him highly."

Burley's reputation as a wheeler dealer was a strong factor in Hearts' pursuit of the former Scotland full-back, although the 49-year-old is aware that, should he need funds to invest in the squad, then Romanov's cheque book will promptly come out of the drawer.

"It's not all about spending money," said Burley. "It will be a case of trying to bring better quality in and sometimes that does cost money.

"There are finances there to bring new players in. The club has great facilities and a good youth academy, so it's really exciting for me."

Tynecastle supporters craving a more glitzy name than Burley have been bemoaning, rather unfairly given that he has not yet pulled on a Hearts training jacket, the new appointment.

Italian coach Nevio Scala and Burley's former manager at Ipswich, Sir Bobby Robson, were also favourites to succeed John Robertson, but the new face of Hearts is extremely confident of his ability to prove any doubters wrong.

He said: "I met one or two supporters coming up to Edinburgh on the plane, and they have been through a difficult time. I think a lot of fans aren't quite sure about Mr Romanov coming in and was he for real, well I can assure them it is all real and I will be doing all I can to put a good team out on that pitch for the fans to get behind."

Taken from the Scotsman