HANDS OFF MY STARS GEORGE

GRAHAM RIX has warned George Burley to keep his hands off his Hearts squad.

With the former Tynecastle boss back in the game at Southampton, fans fear he could raid Gorgie for some of their favourites. But successor Rix and Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov insist they don't want any of their players to leave during next month's transfer window, including Scotland midfielder Paul Hartley.

Rix admits the club would be helpless to stop a super power of the game making a move for the likes of Hartley, Craig Gordon and Andy Webster. But he wants them all to stay and won't welcome any approaches, especially from Burley.

Rix said: "I'm really pleased for George. He has joined a good club in Southampton and I have no axe to grind with him. There are no problems between us.

"He knows the players here so it wouldn't surprise me if he came back for them but we're very much in the process of building a team.

"I don't want to lose my better players, including Paul. Vladimir and Roman know how important he is to the club.

"Of course, you can never say never. If Real Madrid came in and offered £30million for Paul, you tell mewhat the club would do.

"However, I don't want him to go, Vladimir and Romanov don't want him to go and I don't think Paul wants to go.

"He's atop-classperformerandwewanttobring in more quality performers"Wehavea lot ofgoodplayersand I wantthem all still to be here at the end of January, with more fresh faces added to the squad as we're still a little thin on the ground in certain areas."

Rix refused to disclose how many players he would like to add in the next four weeks.

But stretched his arms wide to indicate the length of the list of targets he has drawn up with the Romanovs.

Decisions made over the next few weeks on the signing front will show the extent of their title ambitions.

And the fans are looking for the arrival of a high-profile capture such as Scotland star Kenny Miller as a sign the Romanov revolution is still in full swing.

Rix said: "The next six months here could be glorious but we have to weigh it up and decide if we go for a quick fix or build for the future.

"Vladimir and Roman understand the situation. They have a chance of having a great season.

"We're knocking on the door and do we throw it open or stick to the original plan? We speak about players every day but I'm not as bothered about exciting fans with names as I am about bringing in players who can excite the fans with their performances.

"The guys we bring in must be able to perform at the highest level and if Hearts fans see them as part of a winning side they won't care if we've signed Ronaldo or Joe Bloggs."

Hearts have stuttered in recent weeks, with only one win from Rix's five games in charge. They lost 1-0 to Rangers at Ibrox last weekend .

The Jambos entertain Falkirk on Monday and Celtic on Ne'erday.

Rix has come in for criticism over results since he was appointed, from fans as well as the media, but it's water off a duck's back to a man who has faced greater pressure in his life He said: "I feel really fortunate working with a great group of lads and for people who want me to be here at this club.

"Most teams go through a sticky period during a season but it's how quickly you shake yourself out of it that counts and it won't take much to get our self-confidence back.

"We've had a chat and it's a case of getting back to basics and doing the things we're good at again.

"A positive result on Monday against Falkirk and then against Celtic and everyone will be saying Graham Rix is a super coach and the players are absolutely great.

"It's important to stay cool when things are happening for you and when they aren't and I know what I'm doing."

Rix is also unperturbed about the SFA putting off ratifying his appointment as Hearts boss after his jail sentence seven years ago.

Hampden insiders reckon it's a formality but Rix is unconcerned one way or another.

He said: "It's up to the SFA. I'm not under pressure and all this hasn't affected me at all.

"I met the SFA the other day with the club. They asked me a couple of questions and as far as I'm concerned it's getting sorted.

"It's another little obstacle that's been thrown our way but although I might not look it I'm quite a strong cookie.

"It's not the first time in my life I've had things thrown at me and pressure put on and I can deal with it.

"The best release for me is coming in here every days and working with a great bunch of players - this is a great job at Hearts

Taken from the Daily Record