Bobic heads home after failing to impress Burley

ANGUS WRIGHT

HEARTS manager George Burley last night turned down the chance to add former German internationalist Fredi Bobic to his table-topping squad.

The 33-year-old arrived in the capital on Sunday, claiming he was intent on winning a move to the SPL after a career which has landed him 37 caps for his country. However, the former Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart player has seemingly failed to impress Burley and his coaching staff sufficiently to earn a permanent contract with the Tynecastle side.

Bobic has struggled to find a club since being released by Hertha Berlin in the summer, with injuries apparently at the root of his problem, and

he will now have to pursue the reported "other offers" he has available in Japan and Qatar.

A statement released by Hearts last night said simply that the German would not be joining the club and, after arriving with a media fanfare, the SPL leaders appeared intent on allowing the player to leave with little more than a whimper.

Burley was unwilling to expand on his reasons for deciding against a deal for Bobic but, with only three main strikers at his disposal, it must be assumed the former £5 million marksman lacked the necessary quality to add something extra to the Tynecastle squad.

Burley said: "We have released a statement and I don't really want to add anything to that. He came for a couple of days, we had a look at him and we're not taking it any further, that's it."

Since taking over in the summer, the Tynecastle manager has bemoaned the lack of depth in his squad. However, he is hoping that will change in the new year after handing a January wish-list to principal shareholder Vladimir Romanov, who has promised money for a transfer window spending spree.

A move into the eastern European market appears most likely, with Polish international right-back Michal Zewlakow and compatriot Radoslaw Sobolewski, who Burley failed to land from Wislaw Krakow in a £400,000 bid in August, reportedly top of that list.

Meanwhile, Burley has refused to rule out a return for Czech striker Roman Bednar in time for next weekend's Edinburgh derby with Hibs. The 22-year-old had surgery to repair cartilage damage three weeks ago after sustaining the injury in the 1-0 victory over Rangers, a match in which he scored the game's only goal.

The youngster was expected to be out for up to six weeks as a result of the operation but has recovered quicker than first thought and Burley will leave any decision on Bednar's availability for Easter Road until closer to the showdown on Saturday week. He told the club's official website: "We are happy with his progression and we will see how he keeps going."

Taken from the Scotsman