BOBIC IN FOR JAMBOS

GERMAN Fredi Bobic jetted into Edinburgh last night and insisted he is good for at least two more years of top-class football.

Bobic will train with Hearts over the next three days in a bid to prove to George Burley he is still a striker to fear.

The 33-year-old left Hertha Berlin in the summer after a disagreement with the coach and a hamstring injury hampered his chances of being picked up before the transfer window closed in September.

However, Bobic has been in full training for the past 10 weeks with his first club Stuttgart Kickers, now in the third flight of the Bundesliga, and is keen to show he can cut it in the SPL.

He is out of contract and could sign and play immediately for the club if he is wanted and they can agree terms.

Bobic, who also played with Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund and Bolton, has options elsewhere but admits a move to Tynecastle has strong appeal.

He said: "I'm here because the gaffer, George Burley, has invited me to train with Hearts to see if I'm still in good shape and I'm looking forward to the next few days.

"I believe I'm in good physical condition after training with my first team Kickers for the past 10 weeks.

"I've two or three years left in me as a player and I would prefer to play abroad, particularly in Scotland or England as I enjoy the style of football in Britain.

"I think I can make an impression and if I train and do well and there's interest in signing me we'll see what happens.

"Hearts are one of my first options and although there are also chances to play in Japan or Qatar it's a little too far to fly over there at this stage in my career.

"I'm 34 at the end of the month and I'd like to keep playing in Europe these next couple of years.

"I'm confident there are still goals in these legs, but the heart and the head are much more vital to me as a player.

"I've always considered it much more important that the team wins rather than I score goals."

Bobic once broke the hearts of Rangers with a goal for Borussia Dortmund in a UEFA Cup tie the German club won on penalties.

Until now, he admits most Germans only associate Scottish football with the Old Firm, but even they are clocking on to Vladimir Romanov's revolution.

He added: "It's difficult to watch Scottish football in Germany and coverage is usually only given to Rangers and Celtic.

"But back home they are noticing what is happening with Hearts and Romanov and how they are changing the scene in Scotland.

"There is much more coverage of Hearts in the press and on television and it's good to be here to see it for myself.

"I am looking forward to speaking with the Hearts manager George Burley, and I already know Steve Banks from my time at Bolton.

"I'm also aware of the excellent reputation of the Scotland players Steven Pressley, Craig Gordon, Andy Webster and Paul Hartley."

Bobic caught the result from Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon but refused to make inflated claims about what he could bring to the squad to bolster their title ambitions.

He added: "I haven't seen much of Hearts so it is unfair of me to say this or that or what they can achieve this season.

"I'll be here, probably until Wednesday, and I'm looking forward to playing and having fun."

Hearts are also keeping tabs on Polish youth keeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

The 18-year-old jetted into Edinburgh yesterday afternoon and will be put through his paces in the next few days by Hearts keeper coach Mal Webster.

Bialkowski played seven times for Gornik Zabrze last season, but is out of contract and available on a free.

Meanwhile, Rudi Skacel says he wants to play for Hearts in the Champions League next season.

The Czech hopes to make his loan move from Marseille a more permanent arrangement and said: "It's easy as far as I'm concerned - Hearts have the first option to sign me.

"If they want me I'll stay. Why not? I'm very happy in Edinburgh.

"The only thing that matters to me is that I'm playing in the Champions League next year and I can do that with Hearts

Taken from the Daily Record