Hearts could cut losses on record signing Beslija

HEARTS appear ready to off-load record signing Mirsad Beslija just eight months after he arrived in an £850,000 deal from Racing Club Genk.

Injury has hampered his progress at Tynecastle and after only three starts in a maroon jersey, reports in Brussels suggest the midfielder is being lined up for a move back to Belgium. Hearts refused to comment on the matter but are believed to be ready to cut their losses on the player, although only a fraction of the sum agreed with Racing Genk has so far been paid. The Belgian club have filed a complaint to FIFA and the SFA.

Both Brugge and Lokeren have shown initial interest in Beslija and could submit bids this week.

Hearts head to Bosnia-Herzegovina this morning for the second leg of their Champions League qualifying tie with NK Siroki Brijeg. The Tynecastle club go into tomorrow's game defending a 3-0 lead but learned yesterday that their travel plans have been changed and could impact on the side's preparations for Sunday's visit of champions Celtic.

The original return itinerary had included a flight back from Mostar airport, the historic southern city which lies just 50 miles from Siroki Brijeg. However, Hearts were yesterday informed that the flight back from Mostar would not be permitted to take off due to the expected wind direction coupled with a short runway, and so the official travelling party has been re-routed via Dubrovnik, which means a three-hour coach journey to the Croatian port city.

Originally estimated to be back in Edinburgh at 2:50am on Thursday morning, the party will now not touch down until just before 6am at the earliest.

Paul Hartley is likely to be spared this test of endurance as he continues his comeback from a groin injury.

The midfielder has returned to training, although tomorrow's match has come too soon for the player.

Meanwhile, Scotland Under-19 left-back Lee Wallace last night became the latest young Hearts player to sign a new five-year contract.

Taken from the Scotsman