Czech him out

ANDERLECHT today opened the door for Hearts to negotiate a loan deal for their Czech midfielder Martin Kolar.

The Tynecastle club are likely to be in the market for a replacement for the departing Rudi Skacel this summer as Scotland internationalist Neil McCann eases himself back from serious knee and ankle injuries.

Left-sided Kolar, 22, is a player they have been made aware of. He is second in line to the established Belgian internationalist Bart Goor on Anderlecht's left flank and would ideally fill the vacancy Skacel will leave in Edinburgh.

Anderlecht officials are keen to farm Kolar out on a season-long loan after lending him to both Stoke City and KVC Westerlo in the season just ended.

As they await advances for the £1million-rated midfielder, general manager Herman van Holsbeeck, who conducts all incoming and outgoing transfers at the Belgian club, admits that Tynecastle would be a realistic destination.

"I have heard that Hearts are supposedly interested in Kolar," said Van Holsbeeck.

"He has a contract for two more years here. He is a young player and we know that he needs to play at this moment in his career.

"He will play at times for Anderlecht and at other times he will not play, so it would probably be better if we loaned him out for one year. This is the discussion we are having at the moment.

"The problem Kolar has is that Bart Goor is one of our best players but Martin is coming to a period in his career when he must play."

Kolar joined Anderlecht from Bohemians of Prague in 2002 but has found his opportunities limited at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

Frank Vercauteren, head coach at the Belgian club, said: "We loaned him to Stoke and Westerlo last season and we are not sure about taking him back for next year, so we want to look for opportunities for him. Maybe this is why Hearts have been mentioned. Westerlo cancelled his loan deal at the end of the season and he is on holiday in his country at the moment."

Deividas Sembreras, the CSKA Moscow full-back, has dismissed suggestions that he will join Hearts this summer, insisting: "I have had no contact from Hearts and I don't expect any. I have a contract with CSKA and I think I will be staying in Moscow this summer."

Third choice goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald has signed a new two-year contract at Tynecastle. Hearts must register all new signings before July 20 in order for them to be available for the second qualifying round of the Champions League. The first leg will take place on July 25 or 26.

English winger Chris Hackett, meanwhile, is remaining philosophical after learning from yesterday's Evening News that he is surplus to requirements at Hearts along with his compatriot Lee Johnson.

Hackett said today: "I'm disappointed to hear it but in football these things can happen and, as a professional, you must move on. I wanted to be a success at Hearts and I came up here because it was a fantastic opportunity but if that's what the club are saying then I'll have to accept it.

"I haven't spoken to Valdas myself. I'm trying to contact him to get it from the horse's mouth as such, but it looks like I'll be away. I'm not too worried about finding another club because I had offers from teams in the English Championship and there were talks with Hibs before I signed for Hearts. I'll just be disappointed at having to leave."

Taken from the Scotsman