Balogh in no rush to leave Hearts

After one appearance in the Hearts first team during the season just ended, Janos Balogh will this summer revive his effort to displace regular goalkeeper Marian Kello.

Balogh was handed the No.1 jersey at the start of the campaign, but after playing against Elgin City in a League Cup tie in August the Hungarian custodian failed to see further senior action and was more often than not overlooked for a place on the bench.

The 6ft 2ins stopper is frustrated at playing back-up to Kello, Hearts' player of the year, and his agent explained that behind Balogh's motivation to remain at Tynecastle is more than just a thirst for football.

"He would like to stay in Edinburgh, but his career is more important," said agent Alexander Szatmari. "He has two children and his wife in Edinburgh and he feels good (living here], but a goalkeeper has to play.

"Frustration is normal, but it has to be a positive frustration. He doesn't say anything bad. He's very fair, he says he's waiting for his chance. I think he will get his chance."

Balogh, capped once by the Hungary national team, first joined Hearts on loan from hometown club Debrecen in August 2008. His early form inspired Hearts to pay 185,000 to secure him on a permanent transfer five months later on a deal that runs until January 2012.

Having become accustomed to being first pick under compatriot Csaba Laszlo, Balogh found his opportunities increasingly limited the following season amid the emergence of Kello.

"He was No.?1 for two years, but now we will see what the coach says," said Szatmari.

"This year he was not playing enough. He will take a vacation and come back and see.

"He likes Hearts and Edinburgh, but he would like to play. We will see what the club wants because he is under contract, and we will see what's happening with Kello and (Jamie] MacDonald."

Despite his natural impatience, Balogh remains professional enough to know that hard work and consistency will be the attributes that turn the head of Jim Jefferies when either of his goalkeeping rivals loses form or sustains injury.

Szatmari said "anything is possible" when asked if Balogh could move on, either this summer or when the keeper's contract expires in January, but thinks his client may not be far from figuring in the first team.

He said: "He did it before (won the contest with Kello to be in the first team]. In football you never know, one guy gets injured and you get the chance and play well."