BARRY ANDERSON
CLUBS in England and Spain are leading the pursuit of Hearts midfielder Larry Kingston, but the player's representatives maintain that he will happily remain at Tynecastle if a transfer does not materialise during the current window.
Kingston is interesting Bolton Wanderers and an unnamed club in Spain's La Liga, with Hearts willing to listen to any realistic offer for their Ghanaian internationalist.

Vladimir Romanov, Hearts' majority shareholder, could reduce his club's wage bill by dispensing with the 27-year-old, whose weekly salary can reach £15,000 inclusive of full bonuses.

Kingston cost in the region of £500,000 from the Chechnyen club Terek Grozny in 2007 and is contracted to Tynecastle until June 2010.

Ayrat Imamov, of Moscow-based Pro Sports Management, said today that his client is happy in Edinburgh and would willingly stay if no-one meets Hearts' valuation.

"I can confirm there is a lot of interest in Larry," said Imamov. "Three English teams are watching him and one team from La Liga in Spain. These clubs are interested but I spoke to Larry today and he is concentrating on this season.

"He is a Hearts player, he is happy there, he just wants to play and help his team. I know that (Saulius] Mikoliunas and some other players are injured and Larry is one of the key players in the team. I think the team needs him.

"If Hearts get a concrete offer, we will sit and discuss what to do. I know that the club management are happy when Larry plays to his best level. If the club gets a firm offer from a top club it will be very interesting for the player. The Hearts management are very professional and very clever and I think we will find a solution. If not, Larry will stay at Hearts and do his best.

"He has a contract with this club and we can discuss every day the possibilities for a transfer, but Larry and his family are happy in Edinburgh. He likes the championship, the style of play, he loves everything."

Kingston is currently striving to overcome a hamstring problem and is doubtful for this weekend's SPL match at Kilmarnock.

"He should be fit in ten days or so and he can help Hearts to fight for the top three," said Imamov. Meanwhile Hearts have announced ticket details for the Scottish Cup fifth-round meeting with Falkirk at Tynecastle next month.

Taken from the Scotsman