Former Hearts winger Preston sings Kello's praises

The Hearts goalkeeper's imperious form has won him everything from public praise to international recognition this season. But not, it seems, a shot at Player of the Year.

Celtic's Gary Hooper and Emilio Izaguirre joined Alexei Eremenko of Kilmarnock and Rangers' Steven Naismith as the four nominees for Scotland's most outstanding footballer, as voted by the professionals themselves. Despite his commanding performances and breathtaking saves underpinning Hearts' rise to third in the SPL, Kello did not merit a mention.

It is, of course, a notoriously difficult accolade for goalkeepers to win. Theo Snelders (1989) and Andy Goram (1993) are the only SPFA Player of the Year winners ever to wear gloves since the award began in the late 1970s. Kello should not feel unduly downbeat.

The Slovakian's consolation could be that he develops into the best signing Vladimir Romanov ever made. The Russian entrepreneur deposited Kello at Tynecastle on loan from FBK Kaunas in summer 2008 and finally granted him a permanent contract last summer. He has rewarded the faith with 12 clean sheets in 29 appearances this season and established himself in Slovakia's full international squad.

He also presently boasts an astonishing penalty-saving record having stopped the last four spot-kicks aimed at him dating back to December 2009. English Scouts are alert to Kello's progress even if Scotland's own footballers don't consider him amongst the cream of their crop. "In Scotland, in recent years, there have been Scottish, English and foreign goalkeepers who have been real top quality. It's been a joy to watch," said Allan Preston, the former Hearts winger who has studied Kello closely this season in his role as a BBC Scotland radio pundit.

"At Dundee United there was Grzegorz Szamotulski, Lukasz Zaluska who went to Celtic, and now there's Dusan Pernis who is very good. You had John Ruddy at Motherwell, and for me Darren Randolph is doing very well there right now as well. Then there's Allan McGregor at Rangers. But Marian Kello has been an exceptional signing for Hearts, I would think probably the best of those identified and brought by Vladimir Romanov.

"His consistency levels this season have been exceptional, when the ball comes into the box you feel he's going to get a hold of it. I remember his save from Jamie Ness against Rangers back in January. I was standing right behind the shot and it was flying into the top corner, but Kello got fingertips to it and the save was exceptional. It's as good a save as I've seen live. Ultimately Hearts won the game 1-0 and it was all down to him and the saves he made. He single-handedly denied Rangers.

"At the start he was possibly the No.?2 at Hearts, then he maybe fell to No.?3. His form this season certainly merits awards. I'm sure he'll walk away with many player-of-the-year trophies from Hearts Supporters' Clubs around the country. He'll probably get the club's Player of the Year as well.

"If he's going to dominate these awards from his own colleagues and supporters, then I think he can consider himself a bit unlucky not to be involved in the top for four the SPFA Player of the Year."

Being considered Romanov's finest ever coup might actually be a more distinctive badge of honour. Roman Bednar has held that unofficial tag since earning Hearts 2.3?million from his June 2008 transfer to West Bromwich Albion. Like Kello, he initially arrived in Scotland as a Kaunas loanee having been plucked from the unfashionable Czech club Mlada Boleslav.

Kello's success in Edinburgh may ultimately lead to him following Bednar's path south for a considerable transfer fee, but not just yet. "Everybody at Hearts, including the manager, will want him to stay," continued Preston.

"The financial situation in Scottish football means every club, and I include the Old Firm in this, are selling clubs. They need to sell to balance the books and if that's the reason why Marian Kello comes over, to be sold for big money to a bigger club, then that's fair enough. Long may quality signings like that continue because the team will benefit.

"There comes a time when you get exceptional money, like for Craig Gordon. Hearts could not turn that down and it was a more than acceptable piece of business. But supporters want the best players to stay and Marian Kello is certainly in that category."

With a little luck, he could even find himself up for Player of the Year before he leaves.