Ilco claims he rejected offer from Hearts

Published on Friday 3 July 2009 10:00

MACEDONIAN international striker Ilco Naumoski is expected to join Spanish club Almeria after claiming he rejected an offer from Hearts.

The 25-year-old is due to leave his Austrian club, SV Mattersburg, and revealed earlier this week that Tynecastle officials had offered him a contract. However, he is now favouring a move to Spain.

Naumoski, who scored Macedonia's winning goal against Scotland in Skopje last year, was reported as saying: "I am disappointed at the offer from Hearts. It was unacceptable."

Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts manager, is in the market for a striker as he looks to reinforce attacking options for next season.

He has also been linked with a move for the former Dundee United forward Warren Feeney, who recently held talks with Leeds United.

German midfielder Tibor Heber continues on trial at Riccarton, where he is being assessed by Laszlo and his coaching staff. Heber, 23, is an attacking midfielder from Alemannia Aachen II.

Former Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley will sign a two-year deal with Bristol City pending satisfactory medical results. The 32-year-old was told by Celtic boss Tony Mowbray that he has no future at Parkhead and has opted to join former Tynecastle colleagues Jamie McAllister and Lee Johnson at Ashton Gate. Hartley had been courted by Hearts but did not receive a formal contract offer. He rejected terms from Greek club Iraklis Salonika.