Neilson keen to continue love affair with Hearts

ANTHONY BROWN
HEARTS defender Robbie Neilson is keen to pledge his future to the club by signing a new contract, the Evening News can reveal.
Initial talks between the player's representatives and the club have already taken place with Neilson's current contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Having been at Tynecastle since the age of 16, the 28-year-old is hopeful of concluding negotiations to stay for the foreseeable future. He returned from long-term injury last November to establish himself as a mainstay of the team under manager Csaba Laszlo.

Neilson said: "I'm enjoying my football at Hearts and I'd like to stay so, if we can get something sorted out I'd be more than happy.

"It's not unsettling at all – situations like this are part and parcel of football. I just come in, train and play, so it's not important at all. I'm sure we'll get something sorted out. I'd like to stay, so hopefully the club want to keep me."

Neilson, who earned his only full Scotland cap against Ukraine in October 2006, was granted a testimonial by Hearts last year.

Meanwhile, Slovenian defender Matej Rapnik has left Hearts to rejoin the Slovenian club NK Bravo. The 18-year-old spent 18 months in Edinburgh without making a competitive appearance.

Taken from the Scotsman