Screpis set for 'dream move' to Hearts

Screpis, an Argentinian who holds an Italian passport, was informed by Lithuanian officials yesterday that Romanov was finally willing to ratify his move to Scotland.

His registration should be lodged with the Scottish Football Association before the transfer window closes tomorrow, concluding a harrowing four-week wait for the player to begin his Hearts career. A left-sided midfielder, Screpis has been contracted to Tynecastle since January 1 when his three-and-a-half-year deal took effect. He signed the documents during a trial period in Austria last summer but agreed to spend six months with Kaunas, the Lithuanian club financed by Romanov's Ukio Bankas Investment Group.

However, after winning the A Lyga title in Lithuania, Screpis was unable to gain clarification on his future from Hearts and sought legal advice on the matter. He was prepared to take his case to FIFA but yesterday's invite to fly to Scotland brought renewed hope.

"I am pleased to finally be going to Edinburgh," said Screpis today. "I expected to be with Hearts earlier but this will be a dream move for me and I want to give my best for the club. It has been a difficult time for me because I knew I had signed with Hearts for three-and-a-half years.

"But now, hopefully, I will join the squad permanently. I enjoyed my time in Lithuania, but I always wanted to get to Edinburgh."

The prospect of Hearts attempting to renegotiate the original contract is not being discounted by Screpis' representatives at this stage.

Regardless, the former Defensores de Belgrano player will not make his debut against Rangers in this evening's CIS Insurance Cup semi-final.

He returned from Commonwealth Cup duty in St Petersburg, Russia, last weekend after Kaunas were eliminated at the semi-final stage by Uzbekistan club Pakhtakor Tashkent.

Stephen Frail, Hearts' interim manager, revealed yesterday that the club were close to recruiting a new player, but made no mention of whether it was Screpis.

"We're close to bringing one guy in," he said, before confirming that the person in mind was not a
striker.

Romanov is expected to attend tonight's semi-final at Hampden Park before meeting Screpis tomorrow, although the majority shareholder had yet to confirm his arrangements as of this morning.

Frail's appeal against a two-match touchline ban was upheld by the Scottish Football Association yesterday, enabling him to coach his side from the technical area against Rangers.

He was initially suspended for being ordered to the stand by referee William Collum at Rugby Park last October, but his appeal against the decision was accepted by an SFA disciplinary panel.

"It is good to get it sorted out. It is certainly good to get the decision," said Frail. "We can now forget about it and get on with things."

Calum Elliot and Marius Zaliukas are free of suspension for this evening, while Andy Driver and Deividas Cesnauskis are available after missing the victory over Aberdeen.

Taken from the Scotsman