Romanian kid returns to fight for Hearts first-team place

The Romanian youth internationalist left Hearts last term without permission to return to his homeland and spend time with his family after complaining of a lack of top-team chances.

Although he did offer to return to Riccarton shortly before the end of the campaign, the club were concerned that he was only doing so in order to be paid over the summer months and ordered him to stay away until pre-season.

With the player in breach of contract the Jambos suspended his wages and told him he needed to show his commitment by returning after the summer break.

And this hard-line approach appears to have worked with Copil's agent, Adrian Stefanescu, revealing to the Evening News that his client is determined to prove his worth this season. The 18-year-old has been sticking to a personal fitness programme at his home in Arad, western Romania, and is hoping that when he returns with his under-19 team-mates next week, he can start to stake a claim for a first-team place.

"He will be back on Monday and he is looking forward to returning to Hearts," said Stefanescu.

"He didn't have many opportunities last season despite everyone telling him he was doing well. I think that is what was annoying for him. He played in two friendly matches in Germany and did very well in both.

"Of course, he did make some mistakes and he is determined not to make these again. He realises these mistakes and he wants a chance in the first team so hopefully won't make these again.

"All summer he has been planning on returning and he has been training hard. He is hoping to get a chance in the first team and this is the only reason he is going back – to get a chance."

Meanwhile, Burnley are poised to make a third bid for Hearts winger Andy Driver after they failed to land Rangers midfielder Alan Gow.

The Championship side had hoped to tempt Gow south of the border as part of the Kyle Lafferty deal but although the clubs agreed terms the player rejected the switch preferring to fight for his place at Ibrox.

The Evening News revealed earlier this week that Burnley had a second offer in the region of 750,000 plus a series of add-ons rejected by Hearts but they are ready to test the Jambos' resolve with a third offer.

Burnley boss Owen Coyle has already stated he won't be held to ransom but rates Driver highly and is hoping that a third, and probably final offer, will be accepted.

"We will now concentrate on our other targets," said Coyle.