Burley: Fredi's bid to join is sign of growth

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss George Burley today insisted Fredi Bobic's failed bid to win a deal at Tynecastle is a sign of the progress being made by the club.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Bolton forward was put through his paces in a two-day trial with the SPL leaders but, at the end of it, the Jambos decided not to follow up their interest.

However, Burley believes the fact that 37-times capped Bobic was willing to come to Edinburgh in the first place shows the great steps Hearts are taking this season.

"There was an opportunity to have a look at him and it was great for the club that someone like Fredi wanted to come and train with us," said Burley.

"That might not have been the case before but with us top of the league and our reputation, players of his calibre are interested in coming to Hearts which is encouraging.

"He trained on Monday and Tuesday with us and did okay. But I have spoken to him and explained that we won't be offering him anything.

"At his age, Fredi was probably looking at going straight into the team and I have decided we won't be offering him a contract.

"I am quite focused in what I want and it has to be right for the squad as far as improving the quality is concerned. It has to be right for both parties but that wasn't quite the case here."

Bobic's availability was uncovered by chief scout Simon Hunt, the striker having failed to find a new club having been released by Hertha Berlin in the summer.

And despite turning his back on the unexpected chance to bolster his attack with someone of Bobic's calibre Burley remains upbeat.

"With Roman's injury we are a little bit short in that department and Fredi was available and not under contract," he said.

"But Roman is improving and we also have Edgar Jankauskas and Michal Pospisil here."

Meanwhile, defender Takis Fyssas is still hampered by the knee injury which needed a late fitness test for Parkhead but Burley is confident the Greek will have recovered in time for the visit of struggling Dunfermline.

"It was a bit of a gamble to play Takis on Saturday and I think he actually surprised himself how he came through it.

"He didn't train on Monday but did a little yesterday. He's still feeling his knee but we're hopeful it will settle down for Saturday."

Lee Wallace has been sidelined this week with a cut to his foot, while midfielder Stephen Simmons has been unable to train because of a back problem.

"We have a squad of players working hard for each other but it's not the biggest," said Burley.

"When you look at our bench on Saturday compared to Celtic you can see the difference and a few people commented on that after the match."

Taken from the Scotsman