Jamie close to prolonging his part in 'Romanov Revolution'

HEARTS star Jamie McAllister revealed today that he is close to putting pen-to-paper on a new deal which will extend his stay at Tynecastle.

The defender's current contract runs out at the end of the season although discussions are underway to thrash out a deal which will keep him at the club beyond the summer.

However, the Jambos are set to have competition from clubs both north and south of the border, who have already made contact with McAllister's representatives.

The Scotland internationalist was signed by former boss Craig Levein from Livingston in June 2004 and his versatility has seen him play at left back, central midfield and both left and right wing. He has featured 17 times for the Capital club this term and, although he doesn't command a regular place in the starting XI, he is viewed a as an important squad player.

"We are talking at the moment and things are going well," said the former Aberdeen ace. "The discussions I've had with Hearts have been very positive and my first priority is definitely to stay here.

"Hopefully we can get things tied up in the next week or two.

"If the deal is right, and at the moment it looks as though it is, I would be very happy to stay at the club. I would be more than happy to commit my future as I've enjoyed my spell here.

"With the window opening I have been talking to one or two clubs both up here in Scotland and down south. But my main aim is to stay here."

And McAllister admitted that the so-called "Romanov Revolution" is one of the key reasons for his desire to extend his career with the Gorgie outfit.

"Hearts are a huge club and the future looks very bright," reasoned the 27-year-old.

"We are challenging for titles and for cups and that is what you want to do as a player.

"A lot of players go through their careers and play in the top flight but never win anything and I don't want to be like that. At Hearts I feel there is a genuine chance of winning things.

"Under Mr Romanov and the gaffer things are moving in the right direction and I want to be a part of that.

"The facilities here are second to none and I love coming into training. Hopefully I'm here for a good while yet.

"As I say, we seem to be pretty close and the sooner something is tied up the better as far as I'm concerned."

Meanwhile, McAllister has revealed that he and his team-mates have been given renewed hope that they can catch Celtic by Clyde's battling win against the Glasgow giants last weekend.

McAllister watched live on television as the Bully Wee produced the shock of the Tennent's Scottish Cup third round when they beat Gordon Strachan's side 2-1 at Broadwood last Sunday.

And while Hearts went into today's match with Dunfermline seven points behind the SPL leaders, McAllister insisted that there is a real belief in the camp that they can challenge the Parkhead club for the championship.

"It's important we keep picking up points to keep the pressure on Celtic," he said.

"They will be under pressure after their cup result and it shows everyone in the league, including ourselves, that they can be beaten.

"We should have beaten them at Tynecastle but, if there was ever any doubt, that cup result shows they are beatable.

"I think the win for Clyde has given everyone at the club a wee extra lift and now it's up to us to turn that into points for ourselves.

"We are adding more boys to the squad during the window which will give us more competition for places so while some people might be writing us off there is nobody here that thinks that.

"Lee Johnson looks a tidy wee player in training and looks sharp with good feet, and it looks as though there will be more to come in.

"If we bring in the right players then I think there will be another few twists and turns before the league is decided."

Taken from the Scotsman