Jamie MacDonald poised to be top dog for Hearts
Jamie MacDonald
JAMIE MacDONALD was today backed to become Hearts’ new No.1 goalkeeper with Marian Kello’s exclusion to continue against Celtic tomorrow night.
Tynecastle director Sergejus Fedotovas confirmed Kello has held talks with other clubs about a pre-contract agreement, as revealed in yesterday’s Evening News, and his lack of commitment means he remains frozen out of the first team.
Kello has also admitted he will not discuss a contract extension with Hearts and plans to leave the club when his existing deal expires on June 30.
Janos Balogh, the Hungarian goalkeeper who left Hearts in December, expects MacDonald to establish himself as the undisputed first choice at Tynecastle after signing a new contract last month.
“I was training with Jamie for three-and-a-half years and he is a really good goalkeeper,” said Balogh. “He is going to be fine because he is good enough to play for Hearts. Later, when more young players come through, he can be a leader for them.
“Jamie is from Scotland and he grew up there all his life. I can understand why he wants to stay there. His family and friends are there so it was a good decision from him to sign his contract and stay with Hearts.”
Fedotovas and other club officials are continually trying to resolve the Kello situation. Majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov ordered manager Paulo Sergio not to play Kello in Sunday’s William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round tie with St Johnstone, and he was replaced in goal by MacDonald.
“We have keepers that have extended their contracts with us and some who have not and are negotiating contracts with other clubs,” said the Lithuanian. “I think that all makes an impact on a number of things that are important when you consider who is going to play.
“We are looking for a solution but nothing has been decided. I don’t want to discuss or consider what the best solution for Marian would be at the moment. It’s premature to say anything.
“I am happy (after the transfer window) to the extent that we kept the squad to the level that enables our manager to achieve maximum results for the club. I think the manager is happy to keep most of his players.”
With Celtic due at Tynecastle tomorrow evening, Kello claimed the Glasgow club were interested in signing him before Christmas. “The interest from Celtic was certainly real, but ultimately they did not make a concrete offer,” said the Slovakian. “So I decided to stay a Hearts player for now.
“But I’m not going to negotiate a new contract. I’m leaving on June 30. So I will wait for offers and I am open to different possibilities.
“At the end of the transfer-window period, Austria Vienna showed interest in me. But it ended up not being a successful transfer, because it was a last-minute proposal and I decided not to go. I got into trouble with the club for not completing the transfer.
“The club is for sale. The owner has made that clear. Here you essentially have to look after yourself. The salary gets paid only after a delay. It is a difficult situation.”
Ian Black serves a one-match suspension against Celtic and David Templeton is struggling with an injury sustained against St Johnstone. Andy Driver is poised to deputise. “I’m struggling. As I went to toe-poke a shot away I overstretched a tendon. Hopefully I will be okay for Wednesday,” said Templeton.
Yesterday’s draw for the Scottish Cup quarter-finals paired Hearts or St Johnstone with the winners of the St Mirren/Ross County fifth-round replay. Hearts or St Johnstone will be at home for the match on March 10/11.
• HEARTS teenagers Jack Hamilton, Callum Paterson and Billy King have all been named in the Scotland Under-18 squad for a training camp later this month.
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Comments
There are 26 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
trainspotter
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 03:26 PMWhat a bunch of Muppets. I've just checked with on-line photographs and MacDonald is standing in front of the WONGA .com sign at the Gorgie road end of Tynecastle. You don't even recognise your own stadium
MaroonPlatoon
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 03:26 PMRead Kello's remarks on BBC - can't believe how badly we treat players. He said he would go to help us - and they have told him they want the money - but you can't expect a guy to up and leave to the club Hearts choose at drop of a hat. I feel for Marian as he has always always given his all- yet there will be those who treat him like Stevo or excuse the club for making his life a misery. Romaonv and Co are mis-treating people, not keeping fans in the know and worst of all continually harp on about doing the best for the club - when they are not. Just get out Vlad, sell up and enjoy what little you get, cos life is short and living to see us struggle till your dying breath wont give you the satisfaction you hope. Nobody will pay £50 between today and when you leave this mortal realm - so why are you hanging around?
trainspotter
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 02:55 PMSo where is it then? Definitely not Easter road. Try and use a wee bit logic before you answer. Could it be the HOME end at Tynie?
MrJaffa
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 02:48 PM#22 apologies to tightfisted ..... i clearly meant trainspotter.....lol
MrJaffa
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 02:48 PM#20 Yes...Yorkshire ......as Tightfisted rightly points out...... the seats at the away end at Tynecastle arent maroon...... ......................doh!
trainspotter
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 02:05 PM#20 The seats are maroon. There might be a clue in there somewhere
Yorkshire Jambo
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:58 PMLove that picture. were we playing hibs that day as it looks like the away end!
Tightfisted
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:44 PMHMRC versus HMFC Only one winner there guys,.....Eh Moochachos???? TEE HEE HEE Tick....Tick.......Tick !!
Vandeerbrock
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:44 PMI was there that sunny day at Easter Road with Hand Off Hibs. It wasn't a low point at all but a united front. People (including Jambos) getting together to voice their opinions on fat cats who played with our club like a toy. Will Jambos ever deploy our Leither - socialist stance and oust Vlad before he eventually drops the ball? Probably not. there is still baffingly a significant amount of Jambos who support him!
Tightfisted
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:43 PMSign here to volunteer for the" lining the park"and "Putting Up The Nets" duties for the public parks fixtures next season,........ ................................Eh Moochachos???? TEE HEE HEE !!
trainspotter
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:36 PMHeart of Midlothian Football Club is facing fresh court action over unpaid tax....... It's just unrelenting. No matter what the club promises, and how many times they manage to deflect the ball over the bar, at some point one of these financial stories is going to hit the back of the net. What then? I remember the dark days of the Hands of Hibs campaign, and I really feared for my club. I should think many Hearts supporters are now starting to feel the same. OK..... Cue the insults from the morons
Rambo the Jambo
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:35 PM####10###### - Same for you, read the story in full you ignorant muppet.
RolIand
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:29 PM#2 Have no fear, Vlad for all his faults always pays at the last minute, he will do the same this time, he has no choice. If he fails to pay up he will be upsetting many of his friends back home and I doubt Vlad is wanting to wear lead boots or see's himself as part of a motor way. The bill will be paid and we will move in, they will wait until the 11th hour before paying as is his form in these situations. Honestly nothing to see here.
Gorgierules
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:24 PM10 coming from your lot thats a laugh! What would most of your fans know about HMRC and paying taxes?
Rambo the Jambo
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:23 PM###2##..................Read the story in full you ignorant muppet.
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