I'M UP FORA BRITAWARD

JAMIE MCALLISTER is ready to pledge his future to Hearts - because he loves being best of British.

The Jambos full-back is out of contract at the end of the seasonpreserve Tynecastle home con and is a signing target for English Championship side Stoke City with clubs in Norway and Belgium also showing an interest.

At least two SPL sides are waiting in the wings too but McAllister is preparing to knock them all back and commit his future to Hearts.

McAllister loves being part of a club going places under owner Vladimir Romanov and new boss Graham Rix.

And he wants to remain a vital part of a UK core in a dressing room that is a United Nations of talent. McAllister said: "I've been talking to a couple of clubs but I want to stay with Hearts and hopefully we'll get things tied up within the next week or two.

"This is a huge club and the future looks very bright. I want to be part of a team that is challenging for trophies.

"We're already in the hunt for the league and Scottish Cup.

"I love coming into training every day at Riccarton. The environment is second to none.

"I work with a great group of coaches and team-mates and we're keen to build on the success of this year and last.

"We played in Europe last season and I would love to get back there again.

"My wife is also settled and we're expecting our first child in May so I'm more than happy to commit my future of the club."

Hearts skipper Steven Pressley has already admitted it's vital the club retain a British identity in a dressing room that is one of the strongest in the SPL.

Hearts have attracted players from across the continent last summer and will add to their foreign legion during the transfer window but McAllister backs the skipper's reasoning that a nucleus of UK players is key.

He added: "It's important we keep a core of British boys and build on it with foreign lads who can bring something different to our game.

"It's important we keep a base of boys like myself, Steven Pressley, Andy Webster Paul Hartley Craig Gordon and Robbie Neilson. That's a strong group on which to build and improve."

McAllister admits he would like to have started more games this season but proved he can be relied upon when he came on in midfield and scored the crucial second against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup last weekend.

Boss Rix also stressed the former Aberdeen and Livingston star is a crucial part of his squad.

Rix said: "I think the world of Jamie - he's a great pro. We've entered into negotiations with him and we're very hopeful he will stay with the club."

McAllister added: "I've started half our games this season and come off the bench for the rest of the matches.

"I'm like everyone else, I want to play every week but we've got a strong squad these days and if the team is playing well I'll just have to keep working hard every day in training and take my chance when it comes."

Hearts beat Dunfermline 2-0 earlier this season in a fixture that was overshadowed by the shock departure of boss George Burley just hours before kick-off.

However, the Jambos have managed to maintain their title push and McAllister reckons the defeat suffered by SPL leaders Celtic at Clyde last week exposed the frailties in Gordon Strachan's squad.

He added: "It's important we win at Dunfermline to keep on the shoulder of Celtic because they'll b e feeling a wee bit of pressure after their result last week.

"Clyde's victory last week showed everyone in the SPL - including ourselves, that Celtic can be beaten and with a bit of luck we should have done that on New Year's Day at Tynecastle.

"Celtic will drop points between now and the end of the season and it's up to us to push them all the way."

Hearts are in bullish mood after the victory against Kilmarnock got them back to winning ways after the controversial league reverse at home to the Hoops.

McAllister reckons the Killie result also showed what Graham Rix's side are all about.

He said: "It's important to make it through to the fourth round of the cup, especially after the shocks involving SPL clubs.

"Hopefully we can take some confidence from last week into the Dunfermline game and there's a big responsibility on us to keep grinding out results.

"It isn't easy to do that, but a repeat of the type of performance we put in against Kilmarnock will keep us in the chase.

"We're under pressure but the pressure of pushing for titles and cups and competing at the highest level is a good one to face."

Hearts fans can still snap up tickets for today's game at East End Park. However, briefs for visiting fans will ONLY be on sale at the Tynecastle ticket office. No tickets are available from

Taken from the Daily Record