JIM STILL WHELAN DEALING

DUNFERMLINE were last night frantically trying to wrap up the deal that will see Noel Whelan in place for the big kick-off.

Pars boss Jim Leishman was locked in talks with the former Middlesbrough and Aberdeen striker's agent over the offer of a one-year deal.

And Leishman hopes to get the contract signed in time for Whelan to be thrown straight into SPL action with Hearts today.

The manager said: "We are talking to Noel's agent about the possibility of the player signing for Dunfermline for a year.

"Noel has trained for over a week with us now and feels he has been made very welcome.

"He knows himself that he is short of fitness but he can use his physique and brains on the field.

"Noel is an experienced player who did well for Livingston last season and I am sure he will do a job for us as well."

Meanwhile, Leishman's hopes of fielding new signing Souleymane Bamba today could be strangled by red tape.

The Ivory Coast's former PSG star has signed a two-year deal but has yet to receive internatonal clearance.

One man who will definitely play is Stephen Simmons and he is relishing the chance to put the boot into his old club.

Simmons was part of the Tynecastle cull during the early days of Vladimir Romanov's revolution.

He pitched up at East End Park in January but has had to wait until now to wreak revenge on the club that rejected him.

Simmons said: "I've been looking forward to this moment for a long time and for Hearts to be coming to East End Park makes it all the more special.

"I could not have picked a better game to really kick-start my Dunfermline career and I somehow knew we would get Hearts on the opening day of the season.

"I can't wait to get stuck into them. Leaving Hearts was the kick up the a**e my career needed and this is a fresh start for me.

"I want to play every game and score goals even if things are not going too well.

"Hopefully I can prove to myself I can do it and get a run of games and enjoy football again.

"I am my harshest critic and the aims that I set for myself have not been achieved.

"I need to get a full season under my belt for a start.

"It was hard when I was at Hearts and I was not playing but you have to stay strong and positive.

"I have been given a second chance here and I aim to take it, starting against Hearts.

"We can shock them and anything less than a win will upset me."

Taken from the Daily Record