MAKELA IS ORIGINAL FLYING FINN

HEARTS fans can look forward to a frontline flier in Juho Makela who ditched an athletics career to concentrate on football.

The Finnish striker is hoping to use his pace to help the Jambos overtake Celtic in the title race.

His older brother Janne is a champion 400m hurdler in his homeland and the 22-year-old signing from HJK Helsinki could have followed in his spike marks.

Makela, a £500,000 capture, said: "I was an athlete when I was younger and maybe my speed comes from there.

"I trained between the ages of 14 and 16 but I decided early I must be a football player.

"Janne is a three-time Finnish champion at 400m hurdles and I could also have been good enough in that."

But while pace is 6ft 3ins Makela's lethal weapon the blond hitman is also good in the air and strong.

He said: "I am good with the ball on the ground and in the air. I've always been at my best when I've a target player who takes the first ball and I take the second.

"But last season with HJK when I was top scorer I was a lone striker and also took the first ball because I'm tall.

"I can do that but I always play better in a two-striker system. The Scottish and Finnish styles are similar.

"The mentality is to work hard and give 100 per cent in every game. That was one of the things I considered before moving to the SPL.

"Lots of Finnish players have done well in Britain and I'm sure I can do the same."

Makela was one of five new signings unveiled at Tynecastle last week.

Another was Chris Hackett who Graham Rix worked with at Oxford.

And the winger believes his switch equates with moving to the Premiership.

Hackett said: "This is as big as any move to a higher level in England.

"Hearts are aiming for the Champions League this year and the SPL now has some fantastic teams and some great players.

"It's a big step-up but a great chance. I've worked with Graham and I feel I developed well under him."

Taken from the Sunday Mail