Tall story set to close as defender attracts clubs

GRAHAM RIX today confirmed that defender Ibrahim Tall is interesting other clubs with Hearts unlikely to stand in the player's way.

Tall has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Tynecastle club since being signed from French side Sochaux on the instruction of Vladimir Romanov against the wishes of former manager George Burley.

Paris St Germain have been reported as being interested in taking the player back to France, however, Hearts would be within their rights to request a fee for Tall, who has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.

"There has been contact from other clubs," said Rix. "It's important that players further their careers and, if they get the chance to do that, then they've got to take it."

Rix announced his first signing of the January transfer window yesterday as midfielder Lee Johnson arrived from Yeovil Town for £60,000. Hearts, though, have received no contact from Southampton regarding midfielders Paul Hartley and Rudi Skacel, despite reports linking the pair to a reunion with former manager Burley on England's south coast.

On Johnson, Rix was quick to emphasise the player's tenacity despite his slight height disadvantage at 5ft 6in.

"Would you have signed Gianfranco Zola a few years ago? Would you have signed Alan Ball many years before that? Yes you would," he said. "If he's good enough and competitive as Lee is, then I've got no worries about that whatsoever. He won't be marking the opposing centre-back at corners, though.

"For a player to come out in front of thousands of people and do the job, you need a certain amount of self-confidence. Believe me, it's a tricky thing to do.

"I've seen how he's handled himself and the kid is tuned in. He's ambitious and knows he's got a lot of work ahead of him. He's fearless. Nothing worries him."

Rix also revealed Johnson as something of a free-kick expert. "He has a great shot on him and is a bit of a dead-ball specialist. Basically, he accepts responsibility. He's gone into our dressing room this week, which is full of internationals, and he's just mixed in as one of the lads. They've accepted him straight away."

A deal for Bosnian winger Mirsad Beslija is almost complete, whilst Polish midfielder Miroslaw Golinski remains on trial as Rix and the Hearts coaching staff assess whether he is worthy of a permanent deal.

"He's done very well but last week was a little bit restrictive in terms of what we could do with him because we spent the last two or three days of the week preparing for an important cup game," said Rix. "We are having a good look at him this week. He has ability, there's no doubt about that but we would like to look at him in a match situation."

Taken from the Scotsman