Burley opens talks with with signing targets

NEW Hearts boss George Burley is closing in on his first signings, the Evening News can reveal.

The Tynecastle chief was appointed to the Gorgie hot seat on Thursday and has wasted little time in attempting to strengthen his squad.

Jambos chief executive Phil Anderton today revealed that Burley has already opened contract talks with possible new signings - and insisted the targets could be Hearts players by the time the team heads to Dublin on Saturday for the start of their pre-season tour to the Emerald Isle.

Joey Barton and Richard Hughes have been among a host of names linked with the Tynecastle outfit since Burley’s arrival last week and, while refusing to reveal the identities of the individuals which the former Ipswich Town and Derby County boss wants to bring to the Capital, Anderton admitted the new manager had already drawn up a list of potential new signings before accepting the offer to succeed John Robertson.

"Obviously I can’t comment on which players George is after," said Anderton.

"Discussions have started with a number of players over the weekend and we’ll see what happens.

"It is a bit like the manager’s situation in as much as it will be a case of whether they want to come to Scotland or not and if they want to come to Heart of Midlothian Football Club.

"The final part will be agreeing terms with these people - we have said all along that we will not overpay just because we are ambitious."

He added: "Prior to actually taking up the job, George had actually done his homework and planning on which players he wanted to bring in if we could agree terms so it certainly wasn’t a standing start for him.

"I know he has been in discussions so we will see if they come off. We may be able to agree something with a player or two before the squad heads to Ireland but whether they actually make the trip or not I don’t know."

Burley took his first training session on Friday at the club’s Heriot-Watt academy and stressed to the current crop of promising youngsters at the club that they could have a key role to play in an exciting new era at Tynecastle.

"When he met the squad on Friday he made it clear to the young players that he will give them a chance," said Anderton.

The Jambos’ international contingent of Steven Pressley, Andy Webster, Craig Gordon and Paul Hartley were due to report back for training today having been given some extra time off.

"George had the boots on for Friday’s training and the international guys are back today and I’m sure they will all enjoy the experience of working with a manager of his quality," said Anderton.

Taken from the Scotsman