Hearts cop it

HEARTS boss Valdas Ivanauskas today welcomed the arrival of Romanian wonder kid Dumitru Copil after fighting off competition from Celtic and Liverpool for his signature.

The Romanian teenager, whose style has been likened to countryman Gheorghe Hagi, had been linked with a host of clubs across Europe but has agreed a two-year deal with Hearts.

The Tynecastle club will pay Atletico Arad 125,000 for his services despite a last-ditch attempt by Tommy Burns to persuade him to join the Parkhead outfit and they are believed to have the option to extend the deal to five years. Ivanauskas said: "I think that this is a very good deal for us he is just a young player but has very good prospects.

"Although he is a young boy a lot of other clubs were also interested in him and so we are very happy that he is coming to Hearts.

"We have wanted him for some time so we are very pleased, he will be a good signing for us.

"I know that some people have compared him to Hagi and we will have to wait and see how he develops but he definitely has quality."

Atletico president Alexandru Meszar confirmed that the youngster will arrive at Tynecastle some time next week and said: "Dumitru will go to Hearts next week and the transfer fee is 125,000, he has signed a two-year contract to begin with.

"He has similar qualities as Hagi but it is too early to say whether he will be as good as him. It's all about luck in football, he knows Scottish football, likes how well the clubs are supported and will relish the physical aspect of the game there."

Ivanauskas revealed that he will make a late decision on Lee Wallace for Saturday's trip to Stair Park after limping out of the victory over Dunfermline last weekend.

The left-back suffered a leg knock at East End Park but has been working with the club's physios all week in a bid to play against Stranraer on Scottish Cup duty and the Hearts coach added: "Lee has been having treatment on his injury and we are hoping that he will be fit to play this weekend.

"He will be training today and we will take another look at him then but we hope that he should be okay. Takis Fyssas came on to replace him against Dunfermline on Saturday and did well so we have good players in our squad if he does not make it."

Meanwhile, reports from Italy have liked Mauricio Pinilla with a move to Serie B side Brescia.

The Chilean striker has failed to hold down a regular place in the first team after suffering injuries while on international duty.