Hibs mull over striker but Darijo Biscan deal is dead

Published on Wednesday 18 August 2010 17:47

HIBERNIAN have dropped their interest in Slovenian striker Darijo Biscan over fitness concerns but could still make a move for Dutch forward Romano Denneboom.

Easter Road boss John Hughes has had the pair on trial in recent days, but they have both now returned to their homelands.

While he is still weighing up whether to offer a contract to Denneboom, it appears his interest in Biscan is over despite a contract being discussed on Saturday.

The 24-year-old's agent, Denis Brncic, last night admitted his disappointment that a proposed deal for his client has come to nothing.

Biscan played for Koper last season as they lifted their first Slovenian title but was released after a contract wrangle.

The free agent impressed Hibs before returning to Slovenia on Saturday morning, with Hughes citing his fitness as an issue.

An unhappy Brncic said: "I'm quite disappointed. Hibs called me on Tuesday evening and told me 'no'. I don't know why. We had practically everything arranged to do the contract then I don't know what happened. He did really well in training, scoring goals, all the feedback from the club was great.

"Before he went back to Slovenia, it looked like they were taking him, talking the terms of the contract and then it changed. Money was not a problem, but after saying he had done well, they said the reason (for not signing] was that he was not in shape. I found that reason funny. He was a champion in Slovenia last season. We turned down other offers as we thought it was OK (with Hibs]. To be honest, we have a problem now."

Asked if he expects Hibs to come back for Biscan, he added: "I don't know, it wouldn't surprise me. It's the most logical thing."

Former FC Twente striker Denneboom, the 29-year-old who is also a free agent, remains a Hibs target. Hughes, who is seeking to add another forward to his squad for their SPL challenge, said of his trial pair: "They've gone back home at the moment while we are still looking about. It will then be a case of sitting down and deciding what has to be done."

Meanwhile, Hearts trialist Jonathan Toto improved his chances of landing a contract after grabbing manager Jim Jefferies' attention with a brace in Tuesday's bounce game against East Fife. But the night didn't go completely to plan for the Tynecastle outfit as Stephen Elliott was replaced in the first half of the 2-0 win with a hamstring injury and is now a doubt for Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at Hamilton.

Hearts supporters saw the 20-year-old Cameroonian - who has a French passport - in action in the pre-season friendly against Blackburn earlier this month.