Hearts up asking price for star Driver

Published on Friday 26 June 2009 10:01

HEARTS have increased their asking price for Andy Driver to more than £4 million in anticipation of a flurry of interest in the winger following his involvement with England at the European Under-21 Championship.

Vladimir Romanov, the club's majority shareholder, has quoted interested parties a price of 5m (4.3m) for Driver, who is contracted to Tynecastle until June 2013.

Coventry City are long-term admirers but other clubs in England are monitoring the player, who made an under-21 international debut for England against Germany on Monday evening in Halmstad.

Coventry chairman Ray Ranson and manager Chris Coleman travelled to Edinburgh to watch Driver against Hibs last month after seeing a 1m offer for his services refused in January.

Ranson had been quoted a price of 2m by Hearts officials but that has now more than doubled with international exposure, which will likely force Coventry to look elsewhere.

Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts manager, believes Driver would be best advised to stay at Tynecastle, but interest in the 21-year-old is expected to heighten if England continue to progress in the Uefa European Championship.

They face hosts Sweden at 5.00pm in the semi-final this evening in Gothenburg with the chance to secure a place in Monday night's final against Italy or Germany.

"I was pleased for Andrew and for us," said Laszlo.

"It was a very high moment in his life to play for England Under-21s and we all must be happy about everything that has happened at the club in the last year.

"For him to play in the European Championship is very special and something you don't always get to do.

"There was the talk of him having the chance to play for Scotland and now he has played for England Under-21s in a big tournament and this is a very nice thing for him, definitely.

"The national team and Hearts is different.

"He will get the confidence here and I think it is important for Andrew Driver to stay one or two years more here at Tynecastle to learn the football and stabilise his performance, not only on the field but outside the field as well.

"He can then go to the next level if he gets the possibility."