BURLEY PITCHES TO KEEP HARTLEY

Hearts manager George Burley insists it would be folly for Paul Hartley to leave when it appears a footballing revolution could be under way at Tynecastle.

The Scottish international was the target of his boyhood heroes Celtic in the January transfer window and after being knocked back the Parkhead club returned in the close season with an increased bid of £300,000 bid which was again rejected.

Hartley is still wavering over signing a new deal but has not allowed contract negotiations to affect his form as he showed in Sunday's Edinburgh derby where he scored a penalty in Hearts' 4-0 romp over Hibs.

The victory took the Tynecastle side to the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League albeit only on goal difference from Rangers and with only two games played.

However, Burley, who with the backing of wealthy owner Vladimir Romanov has made five close-season signings with the promise of more to follow, is confident Hartley will recognise the potential and the ambitions of the Gorgie club.

The Jambos boss said: "It is very important to get Paul tied down. I said from day one I wanted to keep the four Scottish internationals, Paul, Steven Pressley, Craig Gordon and Andy Webster.

"He's a smashing player but he's also a great character in the dressing room as well.

"I've spoken to him and his agent and also his agent has spoken to Phil Anderton (Hearts chief executive) so I think we're getting close.

"I certainly don't think it would be a good thing for him to leave. What has stuck out for me in the last two pre-season games and the first two league matches has been the spirit among the boys and the way they are enjoying it.

"They've got energy and attitude combined with their quality. They've been a handful and eight goals in two games speaks for itself.

"Paul is enjoying his football so hopefully, we'll manage to persuade him to stay."

Three of Burley's new foreign signings, striker Roman Bednar and midfielders Rudi Skacel and Julien Brellier, started against Hibs with injured duo Michal Pospisil and Edgar Jankauskas watching from the stand.

The Gorgie men steamrollered a lifeless Easter Road outfit with goals from Skacel, Hartley, Stephen Simmons and Saulius Mikoliunas and the Jambos boss admits he is encouraged by the way his new signings seem to have integrated.

He said: "I'm very pleased how quickly they've settle down which is never easy.

"They've come to Hearts and they want to do well. I try to keep training bright and sharp and try to get the best out of players and thankfully we've done very well so far.

"But it's only two games and it's where we finish that counts."

Taken from sportinglife.com