Hearts boss backs goalkeeper Kello for season's top award

JIM JEFFERIES today proposed Marian Kello as a contender for Scotland's Player of the Year award as the most memorable season of the Slovakian's career nears its final weeks.

An outstanding contributor to Hearts' challenge near the top of the SPL table, Kello's performances have at times defied belief. He has recorded 13 clean sheets in 26 club appearances and saved all three penalties aimed at him this season.

His success in Scotland prompted an international debut in Slovakia's friendly with Luxembourg last month, the first time Kello had represented his country at any level.

Jefferies regards him as Hearts' undisputed No.?1 ahead of Janos Balogh and Jamie MacDonald.

The manager also believes he harbours a strong case for Player of the Year honours. "Kello has had a great season," he said. "I had a wee inkling on the way back from Aberdeen last week that, because of his performances, he would be in the frame for Player of the Year.

"Justifiably there are two or three good contenders there. Eremenko has been mentioned, as has Izaguirre. Even to be nominated is a good achievement and I think it would be fully deserving if he got that."

Hearts are close to securing third place in the SPL this season, with Jefferies believing they may only require two more victories to seal a return to European football. Speaking ahead of today's meeting with his former club Kilmarnock at Tynecastle, he said: "We don't have it yet. What we've said is we are a couple of wins away.

"If we do clinch third place, no disrespect to other clubs where I have a lot of friends, we spent a long time at Kilmarnock and I hope they are the team that finishes behind us. I think they've deserved it."