Vladimir Romanov has price for everyone at Hearts, says Csaba Laszlo

Jan 17 2009 By Gary Ralston

CSABA LASZLO is ready to urge Vladimir Romanov to keep Andrew Driver at Hearts for another year.

However, he admits his pleas are likely to fall on deaf ears because everyone at Tynecastle has his price - including the team boss.

Record Sport revealed agents throughout Britain have been contacted by the Gorgie club in a bid to find a buyer for their £2million-rated winger.

Laszlo has warned Driver it's vital he hears the applause fromfans ringing in his ears every Saturday afternoon, not the cash registers at exclusive stores.

He would like him to continue his education at Hearts for at least another 12 months but acknowledges the credit crunch has made it all but impossible to knock back big-money offers.

Laszlo said: "I've told Driver he has his price but if it's possible I'd like him to stay here another year and continue his development physically and mentally.

"If we do receive a bid for him I'll also tell this to Mr Romanov, although I don't know if it'll work or not. However, I'd be a bad manager if I didn't offer my opinion - I'm not a yes man.

"I also recognise these are tough economic times for all clubs and if we can sell players for £2m or £5m then maybe we can bring in another Andrew Driver or two.

"I know everyone is for sale, even me. Believe me, if another club came to Mr Romanov and said, 'There's £2m for Csaba Laszlo' he'll tell me to go immediately.

"That also applies to players such as Driver and Christophe Berra, I accept that. A number of agents would like to come and take our young players and that's fantastic because we're not talking about selling them for hundreds of thousands, but millions.

"However, I've also told Driver if he does move on it must be to a better club than Hearts and one that gives him a chance to play first-team football.

There's no point playing reserves at a big club, even if he earns £10,000 a week more than here. He'd have a lot more money in his pocket but he'll be spending all his time in coffee houses and department stores, not on the football field.

"He'll never hear people applaud his performances and that's the feeling players such as Andrew and Christophe need in their hearts."

Laszlo also admitted he'd love to have his former Ferencvaros skipper Denes Rosa at Tynecastle but, as Record Sportalso revealed, arch rivals Hibs have stolen a march and he has spent this week training at East Mains.

The Hearts boss added: "I met Denes on Thursday for a coffee and a chat but that is legitimate because he's a good friend. I hope he finds a new club quickly and I'm very respectful to Hibs and their position. Denes can score from midfield and also is very good with assists. I'd be interested in him but at the moment we have seven or eight very good midfielders."

Laszlo hopes Hearts conclude the signing of keeper Janos Balogh on a permanent deal from Debrecen soon and has refused to become embroiled in a war of words with Motherwell boss Mark McGhee over Chris Porter.

McGhee has told Hearts to put up or shut up but Laszlo refused to confirm if an offer for the striker was imminent, although he again stressed he's on his wanted list.

Laszlo could face a rebuilding job if his prized assets move on but he is comfortable with that, especially if he brings in a couple of players of his own.

He said: "We must do something in the transfer window, yes, but if we don't get the players we want there's no point bringing in others just to fill shirts.

"It's important to find the right balance and to have a plan going forward. It would be fantastic for any club to develop young players, sell them on and still qualify for the UEFA Cup every season."

Taken from the Daily Record