Burley insists key men will stay at Tynecastle

GEORGE Burley, the Hearts manager, has assured fans that Scotland internationals Andy Webster and Paul Hartley will remain at Tynecastle for the coming season, quashing speculation that both could be on the move to Glasgow.

Rangers' bid for central defender Webster was turned down, and while midfielder Hartley, 28, rejected a new deal with Hearts last month, Burley believes he can convince the playmaker to stay.

He has met both players and has received encouraging responses. "Paul and Andy will be at Heart of Midlothian next season, I can assure you of that," Burley said.

"I have spoken to both the boys and I am very encouraged by the response I have had. They are definitely here for the coming campaign and are very much part of my plans for this club."

Now Burley is focusing his efforts on building his squad with Polish trialist, Maciej Murawski, attempting to win a permanent deal at the club.

Burley added: "We are trying to strengthen this squad, not weaken it. That's why we are working on trying to get some more trialists in, and the one we have at the moment, Maciej Murawski, has done very well.

"Murawski has trained well. If you look at his CV, he is a Polish international who has played at the top level.

"He has good experience and is a sitting midfield player. I think he has played centre-back before, but he is mostly a sitting midfielder. He will be here until Friday and then leave us to assess the situation."

Meanwhile, Rangers have confirmed that Barry Ferguson is to re-assume the captaincy which Fernando Ricksen took on after goalkeeper Stefan Klos was injured in January.

Taken from the Scotsman