DON'T KO MY JAMBOS MOVE

GREEK defender Hristos Karipidis last night pleaded with PAOK Salonika president Ioannis Goumenos not to wreck his dream move to Hearts.

Karipidis is desperate to sign for the Jambos - so he can return to his homeland and help knock AEK Athens out of the Champions League.

Goumenos last week rejected the Tynecastle club's initial offer of £100,000 for the full-back, who has a year left on his current deal.

Hearts have reputedly doubled their bid but PAOK Salonika, who are in financial difficulties, are believed to be holding out for at least £500,000.

Karipidis met Goumenos on Monday morning to request permission to travel to Edinburgh and conclude the transfer.

Hear ts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas considers the 23-year-old an ideal replacement for Andy Webster and believes a move could be made this week.

Karipidis would not be eligible for the second leg of Hearts' Champions League second qualifying round match against Siroki Brijeg tomorrow night - which will be handled by Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai.

But he is hoping to be in the Hearts side to face his compatriots AEK in the final Champions League qualifier next month.

Karipidis said: "If I go to Hearts it would be great to have the chance to play against another Greek team. I believe we could beat them.

"I want to sign and I'm waiting for PAOK to agree with Hearts about the money for me. My wish is for it to be done quickly and I hope the deal will be finished in the next few days.

"I'm waiting to speak with the president to say I want to go to Hearts. I spoke to Takis Fyssas and he has told me a lot about the club, the country, the players and even the weather. He says a move to Hearts would work very well for a young player like me.

"If all goes well, I'll fly to Edinburgh as soon as the teams agree."

Karipidis' agent, Paul Koutsoliakos, was last night confident his man would become a Hearts player within the next 48 hours.

He said: "PAOK Salonika and Hearts are very close to agreeing a fee and I'm confident they will soon come to a solution.

"Hristos has agreed personal terms and has passed a medical but he has to sign a deal before Thursday as that is the Champions League third-round signing deadline.

"I am fairly confident he'll sign for Hearts."

Meanwhile, midfielder Paul Hartley is stepping up his rehabilitation from a groin injury, although he has little chance of facing Siroki Brijeg.

The Scotland cap was unable to join the pre-season build-up due to a niggling groin injury but yesterday took part in a training session with Hearts youngsters and could be in line to make a return to the bench this Sunday against Celtic.

The Jambos, who yesterday tied up Scotland Under-19 star Lee Wallace on a new five-year deal, could be ready to sell record signing Mirsad Beslija.

The ex-Lokeren and Brugge winger is reported to be interesting both former clubs. He cost £850,000 from Racing Club Genk in January but has made only three starts.

Taken from the Daily Record