Selling our star players in January will end hopes of a European place, says Hearts ace Ruben Palazuelos

Dec 22 2008 By Chris Roberts

RUBEN PALAZUELOS reckons Hearts can wave goodbye to Europe if they allow top players to leave in January.

Fans fear an exodus after Vladimir Romanov's Christmas message that he was happy to offload his best players for big money - with Christophe Berra and Andrew Driver the likeliest targets for other clubs.

Palazuelos refuses to lose sleep over that prospect but the midfielder believes the Jambos' owner can forget about the prospect of qualifying for the UEFA Cup if he decides to sell rather than buy during the shopping window.

He said: "I wouldn't be too disappointed if players were sold because that is football.

"Players go out and others come in. Christophe and Andrew are good players and it is possible they will leave.

"But this team are in third position and we need to keep these players and perhaps strengthen to stay there."

Palazuelos thinks a priority for manager must be a new striker because his crisis deepened at the weekend.

Christian Nade is facing a suspension after his stupid booking against the Arabs and emergency frontman David Obua was crocked.

Jamie Mole's future at the club looks doubtful having been left onthe bench while Mike Tullberg and Juho Makela are also injured .

Palazuelos said: "Maybe we can get another striker in now we have Christian out as well.

"It was more difficult after Christian got substituted because we didn't have a striker."

Hearts stayed behind third-placed United on goal difference. Lurking just behind are Hibs and Aberdeen ahead of the Jambos' trip north to Pittodrie on Saturday.

But Palazuelos isn't panicking yet about that European spot.

The 25-year-old said: "If we had won we'd have been in third position on our own, three points more than them, but that is football.

"In the last seven games we haven't lost and we are ready for the next game at A berdeen."

Taken from the Daily Record