Brel: Let me stay a Jambo

JULIEN BRELLIER today revealed his unstinting desire to remain at Tynecastle and reach agreement with Hearts over the terms of a new contract.

The club have tabled an offer to the Frenchman which was termed "offensive" by his Italian agent Maurizio de Giorgis last month, and Brellier's present contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

However, the player, who has developed into an idol amongst Hearts supporters, yearns to find common ground with the Tynecastle board and ensure his stay in Edinburgh is extended beyond next summer.

"I hope we can sort it out and I can stay. I don't see why that can't happen," said Brellier. "I have never said, 'I want to leave'.

"At the moment, I am not happy with the offer but for now I am focusing on my football. There is a contract on the table but we have almost a year to agree and then sign it. It doesn't affect me on the pitch at the moment."

The 24-year-old has declared himself fit for tomorrow's SPL encounter with St Mirren, shrugging off a minor thigh injury sustained in Tuesday's reserve match against Rangers.

"I'm okay," he added. "I played in the reserve team in midweek and took a knock but it's okay and I am training without any problem. I will be fit for tomorrow."

Head coach Valdas Ivanauskas, who will have the added boost of both Ibrahim Tall and Jose Goncalves returning to light training on Monday, has several injury-enforced absences to contend with tomorrow.

They include Bruno Aguiar, Deividas Cesnauskis, Tiago Costa, Andy Driver and Michal Pospisil.

"Michal got a dead leg against Rangers and the clock is going to beat him I think," said assistant coach John McGlynn. "Deividas is still suffering from his virus and Costa and Driver are struggling. Bruno Aguiar picked up a calf strain last week so he's out as well. Jamie Mole is also doubtful."

Roman Bednar and Mauricio Pinilla are in line to lead the Hearts attack and, whilst grateful for Brellier's availability, Ivanauskas is mindful that he will be denied the midfielder's services next week.

"It is a big problem for us because he will be missing against Sparta," said Ivanauskas. "I think Julien understands it was a mistake in Athens and he was very angry. That game was a very big lesson for us but Julien knows this and he is working hard."

Hearts are asking supporters to arrive at Tynecastle 15 minutes early tomorrow in order to show their appreciation for captain Steven Pressley. As revealed in the Evening News, the club are to make a commemorative presentation to Pressley before kick-off against St Mirren after he became their record international cap holder in Lithuania on Wednesday evening.

Pressley's 30th cap for Scotland usurps Bobby Walker's previous total of 29, achieved between 1900 and 1913.

Meanwhile, Hearts will open their ticket centre tomorrow and Sunday for supporters to purchase Sparta Prague tickets. The club are expected demand to increase given that no live television coverage of the match is planned. Tickets can be purchased 24 hours a day through the club's official website at www.heartsfc.co.uk and on the phone at 0870 787 1874 but the Tynecastle ticket office will now be open every day until the match next Thursday.

A club spokesperson said: "We will now be open this weekend for people to buy tickets for the Sparta Prague game from the ticket office.

"On Saturday, we are open from 10am until kick-off and then, after the game, we will open until 6pm on Saturday evening. On Sunday, we are open between 10am and 2pm."