Bednar deal done but no new faces at Tynecastle

CLAIMS by Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov that two World Cup stars would be arriving at Tynecastle before the transfer deadline proved unfounded.

The only piece of business concluded by the Edinburgh club yesterday was the signing of striker Roman Bednar on a new four-year contract.

Romanov spoke at the weekend of his intention to bring in two unnamed players who had graced the finals in Germany. However, Hearts released a statement last night confirming all transfer activity had been concluded. They have already brought in six new players in Mauricio Pinilla, Christos Karipidis, Tiago Costa, Marius Zaliukas, Kestutis Ivaskevicius and Andrius Velicka.

Bednar, 23, joined Hearts from Czech side Mlada Boleslav via a loan deal with FBK Kaunas of Lithuania last summer. Despite a long-term injury last season, he scored seven times to help the club to second place in the league and victory in the Tennent's Scottish Cup final.

Bednar, who scored twice in the win over Celtic last month, said: "I want to be a winner with Hearts domestically and on the European stage and that's why I've signed."

Dundee United failed in a late bid to take Hearts' promising young striker Jamie Mole on loan. The Tannadice club offered former Tynecastle forward Lee Miller as part of the deal but the offer was rejected and Miller ended up joining Aberdeen.

Taken from the Scotsman