I'll bring fans back to Tynie, says George

HEARTS boss George Burley today vowed to turn on the style to bring the fans flooding back to Tynecastle.

The new manager took charge of his first home game since his appointment with the visit of Middlesbrough on Wednesday and was impressed by the crowd of over 15,000 which turned up for the match.

Chief executive Phil Anderton's idea to allow supporters in free of charge proved a huge success with fans flocking to Gorgie for the clash with Steve McLaren's Premiership outfit.

Burley insists Hearts have a huge potential fan base to tap into but stressed that the onus is on the players to produce the kind of football which will entice people along on a regular basis.

Earlier this week, the former Derby County boss secured Czech international midfielder Rudi Skacel on a year-long loan as his first signing and is now close to landing his compatriots Roman Bednar and Michal Pospisil as well as Lithuania's former Porto strike star Edgaras Jankauskas as his rebuilding begins in earnest.

The trio showed glimpses of real quality against Boro and Burley is confident of constructing a team which will appeal to the fans.

"Edinburgh is a big city and there is no doubt that this club has huge potential," he said. "There were 15,000 at the game on Wednesday and we want the fans to keep coming along.

"We are determined to increase our average gate, which last season was around the 11-12,000 mark. The best way to get the people through the turnstiles is to produce good, quality football. We want to improve the quality for the supporters and we are working hard to achieve that with the players we want to bring to the club."

While confident the "sell-outs" are a real possibility with the appropriate pricing structure at Tynecastle, the Hearts boss is well aware things will not change overnight.

"I think we can sell out Tynecastle but we have a long way to go and we are not kidding ourselves," said Burley, whose side was in action against Hull City at the KC Stadium this afternoon.

"Last season was disappointing and we have a lot of work ahead of us to close the gap on the Old Firm. We will give it our best shot, though, and if we do well enough then hopefully we can fill the stadium regularly."

A cornerstone of Burley's rebuilding work was put in place yesterday with captain Steven Pressley agreeing a new two-year deal having ironed out a number of problems with the new SPL contract.

The Scotland star had been stalling on his future over the summer but has now committed himself to the Jambos until 2007 - with the option of a further year.

"In my own mind, I never thought I would leave," said Pressley. "I believe I have found my home here and it would great if I could spend another three years at Hearts and possibly finish my career at Tynecastle.

"There were a number of issues which had to be looked at in the contract, some of which I am not going to go into in public.

"We came to a compromise and I am delighted to have sorted everything out."

Burley, who will tie up the two Czech strikers, Jankauskas - and possibly Steve Lomas - at the beginning of next week was more than happy to see his skipper sign on the dotted line.

"Steven is a key member of the team as captain and club captain and I am pleased he has agreed to stay," he said.

"He wanted to sign and for the rebuilding process it was important to start with the skipper."

• HEARTS Under-19s take on Penicuik Athletic at Penicuik Public Park, tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).

Taken from the Scotsman