Bam-Bouzid: Hearts defender set to clear up future amid transfer talk

HIGHLY-RATED: Hearts defender Ismael Bouzid is out of contract in the summer

Thomas Boehm, Bouzid's Austrian-based representative, stressed that he expects the player to remain at Tynecastle until his contract expires at the end of the season and confirmed he has received no firm offers to date. In a media interview in his homeland this week, Bouzid stated his belief that Rangers had joined English clubs in the chase for his signature. Boehm will now attempt to speak with Hearts officials to clarify the situation.

"We have some interest in him from Europe but there is nothing concrete. I would not like to say anything else because first I have to talk with Hearts. I will do that in the next couple of days," he said.

Asked if there was interest from another Scottish club, Boehm replied: "There is nothing concrete. Probably he will stay with Hearts until the summer."

In the original interview, Bouzid was asked if Rangers were among the teams who want to sign him and replied: "That's right, I have got wind of this information. I also think some English clubs have enquired about me. But for now I'm concentrating on playing for Hearts. As long as nothing is official, I cannot talk about it.

"In addition, I have a challenge worth fighting for with Hearts now. If we can take one of the top two places, we will still have the opportunity to play in the Champions League. I am comfortable at Hearts but I would not deny that if I got made a good proposal from a bigger club or an English club, I would not say no. I would love to play in the English League. At Hearts we are doing very well. The statistics speak for themselves. We have the second best defence in the league, behind Celtic. The important thing to get into our heads is that we must continue at this level. We want to stick close to the league leaders and the second place team. We are well ahead of the fourth place club and the advantage is it allows us to play without any pressure."