Makela out to show he can cut it on British soil despite record with Hearts

Makela is anxious to prove his detractors in this country wrong; to silence those who labelled him a £500,000 flop and who mocked his every move in a Hearts shirt. Vladimir Romanov, the club's majority shareholder, sanctioned his half-million pound signing from HJK Helsinki in January 2006 after 33 goals in 41 games. He was one of 11 players recruited that month but the intervening period has been unkind, to say the least. Makela managed just five competitive goals for Hearts, spending most of his time either injured or out of favour. When he was fit he had to go on loan to restore plummeting confidence levels. Ironically, he will probably be best remembered for a non-competitive strike against Barcelona in the 2007 pre-season friendly at Murrayfield.

Now, as a free transfer, he is sensing the opportunity to hush the carping with a new club. Three years' experience of the often cut-throat British football environment have steeled the 26-year-old for what may lie ahead. Talks with an unnamed English League One side are ongoing and he gives the impression of a man who is determined, stubborn almost, about having a future within these shores.

"I don't have offers on the table but I have very interesting options and I'm getting calls from agents," Makela told the Evening News. "I'm just keeping myself fit until something comes up. A couple of clubs have been calling from Finland to ask what I will do, but I would prefer to stay in the UK and I'm looking at options here first.

"I have also had calls from Switzerland and southern Europe but my agent here is working to keep me in Britain. On Sunday, I was supposed to go to a club in League One in England but it was cancelled at the last minute.

"I just want to get back playing. I have been injured for the last two months and I really have a hunger to get back on the training field and start playing again. I need to get that as soon as possible. I have plenty energy and motivation for another club."

Makela continues to base himself in Edinburgh while searching for a suitable new employer. Limited exposure to the SPL frustrated him at Tynecastle and he would welcome the opportunity to become more familiar with Scotland's top flight. That, in turn, would raise the prospect of returning to Tynecastle.

"That would be emotional. I haven't thought about it yet but Hearts will always have a place in my heart," he continued. "I'm considering other Scottish clubs because I really like the football culture here. I think my football style suits Scotland very well.

"There's always a point to prove and, of course, I want to show everybody what I can do. It would be nice to show everybody that I can play in Scotland at a high level. I'm just waiting for the chance."

He admits to a couple of conversations with Mixu Paatelainen but is reluctant to comment on whether he would be willing to join the Finnish colony at Easter Road. "I met Mixu a couple of times but I haven't had any calls from him. It's better not to say anything about Hibs," he said.

The main difference between Makela now and the player who left Helsinki three years ago would appear to be maturity. "I think I came here a boy, now I am a man. I am more mature and more ready for the challenges," he continued. "I was already in the Finnish national team when I came here, I had played in the Veikkausliiga for three years and been top scorer. Now I feel I have more experience, I'm not so naive about some things. This kind of thing comes with time so now I feel it will be easier.

"There is always pressure in football, wherever you go, whether you are a big money transfer or a free transfer. The thing that makes it easier is I have been here three years and I know what you need to do to have success. I know the Scottish style, the country, the life, the football teams, so I'm more experienced than when I came.

"Things did not go as well as I hoped at Hearts but I don't regret coming here. It has been a good experience and I feel privileged that I could live in Edinburgh. It's a nice city and Hearts is a very good club. Of course, I wanted more but things don't always go how you want.

"I remember my time with Hearts fondly and I will always remember my team-mates. We had a good dressing room and I made some good friends here. I have lots of good memories from Hearts. The best things are the goals I scored for them and the support I got from the fans. I got lots of messages from fans after I left Hearts and I appreciate that a lot.

"I'm really anxious to move forward with my career now."

From a hat-trick in the humble surroundings of Alloa's Recreation Park to a strike against the superstars of Barcelona, Makela has hinted that there might indeed be a goalscorer lurking somewhere within him. Now it's a matter of testing himself against British standards.

Taken from the Scotsman