Hearts are poised to bag Craig Beattie
Craig Beattie
HEARTS were today working to finalise the signing of Scotland international striker Craig Beattie, with Tynecastle officials hopeful of concluding a deal within the next 24 hours.
Beattie attended the club’s Riccarton training base yesterday and was expected to train there this morning ahead of his anticipated signing on a deal until the end of the season. The 28-year-old was pursued by Kilmarnock, St Johnstone and St Mirren but has told Hearts he wants to relaunch his career there following his release from Swansea City.
The move must be sanctioned by Vladimir Romanov, Hearts’ majority shareholder, and the club’s board before it can be formally announced. The Evening News has learned that directors have now ratified the deal and it should be confirmed after formalities are completed.
Provided he proves his fitness, Beattie could come into contention for Saturday’s match with Dundee United at Tynecastle. His last game was on loan for Watford against Ipswich on December 3 last year so he would be unlikely to play from the start.
Meanwhile, Hearts midfielder David Obua has announced his retirement from international football in a letter to the Ugandan Football Association. He has not represented his country since being expelled from the Ugandan squad before an African Nations Cup qualifier with Kenya last October. In the letter, Obua said he wanted “to allow upcoming youngsters a chance to show what they can do and for me to concentrate on my club football career.” He continued: “To the fans, you have been great and to all the coaches I have worked under, thank you for who I am. I have given my all and where it has not been good enough, I’m only human.”
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Comments
There are 39 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
First Green
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 11:53 PM#26 Atholl Just got time for a quick message before my paper round. Disappointing result for us tonight but all is not lost yet. Thread is about Beattie -has he definitely signed (hope he has though I doubt he`ll cost you much) and why does anyone think he`d be a good signing? I know Hearts have had problems in attack all season so anyone is an improvement on Glen etc but unless CB is really cheap is he really going to improve your squad and what will teammates think of more pressure on wage bill? Nearly 22 days till pay day.
busbyfth
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 09:55 PM# 36 Baldrick - I will go further, just to say that not just a knighthood-----If Craig Whyte shows up in Scotland again he will probably be crowned !
busbyfth
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 09:53 PM# 29 Hen.......Sutton wasn't given a fair chance of a run of consecutive games - but admittedly first impressions count and JS at the start of the season was sporting a fine double chin and ran about as if he was really laboured. To a guy that was coaching a decent Portugeuse team's mobile forwards - sergio must have wondered what the hell we had signed last summer. His gut reaction was that JS was a clodhopper, but what he didn't realise is that Sutton gvme us a different dimension up front and even if not scoring himself - usually was able to create goals and openings for others.....when fit though. If JS had started off like that ,well maybe he would be playing at Tynie right now.^^^^^^Many folk are making out that Beattie is a large bustling front line leader......not what I remember - I recall him being not particularly large, well balanced and reasonably pacy, with good control and a predatorISH type instinct.
Baldrick
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:51 PMReaqlly good post from vladhibs on another thread. He has recommended Craig Whyte for a knighthood and I endorse that. Good luch to Beattie. Play him alongside Smith on Saturday and let's see us have a real go.
reincarnated
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:44 PMDont think Sutton got a fair crack of the whip - laid on two goals down at the San Giro.
keyser soze
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:34 PMSince 1902 @ 31..... You state they are similar players. That is wrong, Beattie is far more mobile than Sutton and is totally different in style.
jambo2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:30 PMSutton needs supply from wide into mainly six yard box to be prolific as he was with M-well, watched him closely v St Mirren (5-2) and he played a blinder but it was obvious he was laboured and uncomfortable with the solo role...perhaps Beattie offers more ?
since1902
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 05:00 PMHobo - I've just seen your post. Like you, I don't get it.
since1902
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:58 PMUnless his wages are way less than Sutton's, I just don't get the point of releasing him on loan (all wages covered ?) and replacing him with a similar player. Sutton was good at Well but he never got a run of games at Hearts. Looked okay to me. It's part of the job of a manager to coax the best out of existing players - see Martin O'Neill for details.It's this kind of hare-brained transfer policy that put us in financial telly-tubby land in the first place
what a chancer
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 04:32 PMobua has forgotten to say he has retired from scots premier league fitness and skill level.
Hen Broon
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:55 PMH. Harry.....fair question. Pace & movent is the best answer I can come up with.....Sutton did play well in his last couple of games but overal lwas IMO dissapointing & lacked work rate.Beattie should be a better option but that is totally depenpendant on his fitness etc.
Robbo27Hammerof the hibs
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:52 PM#10 first green be careful what you wish for,if hearts do finish in the bottom six,which, with the way we playing at the moment is possible,we could have the chance to send you lot down at fester road,and into eternal oblivion,infact just thinking about that possibility might make it worthwhile finishing down there with the annual strugglers
Rambo the Jambo
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:43 PMFirst Green & vladhibs - Jeezo you pair are like a couple of stuck records. FFS change the record or stay away. Try having each others babies or something.
Atholl Brigade
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:43 PM#22 You won't hear from FirstGreen until he fnishes his paper round.
Atholl Brigade
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 03:41 PM#21 genuine answer - its not about wages - Sutton was given his chance and blew it. Beattie now has his chance to restablish himself.
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