Hearts talk up Berra, while Hibs say Jones staying put

CSABA Laszlo believes that speculation surrounding their possible departure from Hearts could have unsettled some of his young players and contributed to their sub-standard display against Motherwell on Wednesday night.

He also believes – as he explained at length at a press conference yesterday to preview Sunday's Homecoming Scottish Cup match against Hibernian – that Christophe Berra, the club captain, is capable of playing in Germany or Italy.

Laszlo appeared not to notice the irony of adding his own speculation to that from outsiders, and to be fair he did not blame anyone for deliberately unsettling his players. Even so, it was curious that, having seen some of his team appear distracted in the 1-0 defeat at Fir Park, he should then indulge in the very habit which brought about that distraction.

The manager's praise of Berra, who has already attracted the interest of some English clubs, has to be regarded as a sign that Hearts are willing to cash in one of their most valuable assets.

It has been known for some time that they will listen to any reasonable offer for Laryea Kingston, the Ghanaian midfielder, but it is only more recently that they have made public comments which indicate their willingness to do a deal over Berra.

On a couple of occasions in recent weeks Laszlo has said it is a source of pride to him to have players linked with bigger clubs. Yesterday, though, he was the one doing the linking, as he traced Berra's development over the past six months from scepticism to sophistication.

"Christophe is a very talented player, and definitely his talent is enough to play in the national team," Laszlo said of his captain, who has played for Scotland but has yet to establish himself as a first choice for George Burley. "He can play in the First Bundesliga, he can play in England and he can also play in Italy.

"I tell you why. He is the one player who tactically learns very quickly. He was very sceptical at first – when I came to the club Christophe was the most sceptical player I saw in my life. I told him what he must do tactically, and at first he did not believe me. Then he learned so quickly.

"For me, Italian football is always the highest tactically, and I think he can play there. I have said you must do what I tell you, and then you can play in Italy."

With Marius Zaliukas, Christos Karipidis and Eggert Jonsson all able to play at centre-back, the departure of Berra would not necessarily weaken Hearts too much. Indeed, the money generated by the sale of the captain could end up by more than compensating for his loss if it helps Laszlo get what he needs above all – a striker who can score more than the odd goal.

"I think and I hope soon I can get a striker," continued the manager, whose plans have been hampered by a succession of injuries to the Danish target man Mike Tullberg, a summer signing who has so far been able to play no more than the occasional game. "Christian Nade has only scored once this season and so has Jamie Mole, but I try to make a tactic in which everyone is dangerous. With tactical discipline we can keep the same level of football without a striker."

Asked if there was a chance of a new forward arriving before Sunday, Laszlo added: "No, definitely. At the moment, I concentrate only with what I have. Today I had a meeting with some people with the board and at the moment we carry on.

"From now until the end of May, we must look at what we can do, which possibilities we have. I think at the moment it's very interesting. You must have a long-term structure and at the moment we are making big steps in this direction. Everything is possible.

"We're very active. If it's possible to get a talented player, definitely, we keep our eye open and try to do something. Also, people have interest in our players. We must look at what happens and be flexible. We concentrate only on the game against Hibs on Sunday – this is a very difficult game."

It will be all the more difficult for Hearts if, as now seems certain, Bruno Aguiar misses out. The playmaker is back in training after a minor injury, but Laszlo said he did not want to rush him, and it now looks like he will not be back until Hearts' next league match.

Without Aguiar, who was in inspired form earlier this season, Laszlo hopes that the players who underperformed on Wednesday will rise to the occasion on Sunday: "It was a very bad game (at Motherwell], but also from bad games you can take something positive. Maybe this was at the right time ahead of the cup game.

"Definitely, we played very bad football. We haven't played like that in all our other games; this was the first one which I was very, very unsatisfied about. Not just the result, the game was bad.

"The guys had 90 minutes to watch the game today and afterwards they could think about their performances. I have my methods, which sometimes work, sometimes not. But after Motherwell, everyone knows we can play better football. We sat together today, talked a little bit and watched the game. Everybody was clear that they can do better and we must do better."

The Lithuanian midfielder, Audrius Ksanavicius, meanwhile, has left Hearts and returned to Kaunas. Ksanavicius, 31, made a permanent move to Tynecastle in the summer after being on loan for a year, but he has been out of favour recently and last played in October.


FACT BOX

Hibs and Hearts transfer latest...

• ROB JONES

Hibs have rejected an offer from Colchester and say their captain is going nowhere.

• THIERRY GATHUESSI

Full-back leaving Easter Road for Inverness Caley Thistle.

• FILIPE MORAIS

Winger also leaving Hibs for the Caledonian Stadium.

• STEVEN FLETCHER

While Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo expressed a hypothetical interest in the striker, Hibs say they have received no contact from any club.

• JONATAN JOHANSSON

The Finn made his debut in the goalless derby last Saturday.

• GREGORZ SZAMOTULSKI

The Polish goalkeeper has also joined Hibs this month.

• CHRISTOPHE BERRA

The Hearts captain has attracted serious interest from England and is expected to leave this month.

• LARYEA KINGSTON

Hearts would also listen to offers for the Ghanaian playmaker.

• ANDY DRIVER

The winger is another to have interested English sides, but could well stay on at Hearts until the summer.

• AUDRIUS KSANAVICIUS

The Lithuanian has returned to Kaunas.