Hackett set for derby debut

HEARTS' new signing Chris Hackett is set for a baptism of fire tomorrow with a dramatic debut in the Edinburgh derby.

The Evening News can reveal that Lithuanian Nerijus Barasa, whom Graham Rix was intending to play from the start on the right side of midfield, is almost certainly out due to a strained hamstring.

Rix has pinpointed Hackett, who signed for £20,000 from Oxford United last night, as the man to fill the void at the end of a tumultuous week when, after initial interest from Hibs, he joined their city rivals. Hackett trained with Hearts for the first time yesterday morning and was due to be unveiled at the club's Riccarton training base at lunchtime today.

Rix said: "Nerijus is giving us major concern unfortunately. He has strained his hamstring so he is very doubtful to say the least, which is a big blow.

"We are looking at Hackett possibly coming in. It's a big step for him and he'll have a big job to do but I know him well and he'll be fine."

Reports about Hackett's pace have prompted heightened anticipation from certain elements of the Hearts support, however Rix is intending to keep details of the player's main asset as shrouded in mystery as possible.

"I'm not going to say how quick he is. The supporters will have to wait and see. But he is pacy and direct, which is what we want."

Hearts are also tracking Finnish international striker Juho Makela of HJK Helsinki and hope to negotiate a £300,000 transfer before the transfer window closes on Tuesday. The 22-year-old has shot to prominence after scoring 33 goals in 41 games over his last two years in the Finnish Veikkausliiga.

Idan Tal, the Israeli international left winger, has also been linked with Tynecastle in reports today.

Mirsad Beslija arrived in Edinburgh this morning in an attempt to finalise his move from Racing Genk after Vladimir Romanov contacted the player's agent last night.

As revealed in the Evening News yesterday, Beslija had given Hearts a 24-hour deadline to inform him of their intentions or he would call off the deal and, after hearing from Romanov, he has jetted to Scotland with Genk's technical director Ariel Jacobs to thrash out his future.

A source in Belgium said: "The fact that Ariel Jacobs has gone with Beslija shows that Genk want to get this sorted out."

Michal Pospisil has had his fitness closely monitored this week after suffering a dead leg at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock last Saturday, however, he did manage to train yesterday and today and is expected to play against Hibs tomorrow.

Whilst Hackett was signing on the dotted line, Rix was being informed that another of his intended targets, the Liverpool midfielder Darren Potter, had joined former Tynecastle manager George Burley at Southampton on a six-month loan deal.

Taken from the Scotsman