Burley confirms Hearts interest

By Simon Fudge  

Burley confirms Hearts interest

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Southampton boss George Burley has confirmed he is trying to sign the unsettled Hearts pair of Rudi Skacel and Andy Webster.

Both players look set to leave Tynecastle this summer and have caught the eye of the former Jambos boss.

Webster's efforts to find a new club has seen him head for the continent for trials with French Ligue 1 clubs Marseille, Monaco and Rennes, as well as Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

The Edinburgh club, meanwhile, have since reported the duo for breach of contract after both Skacel (pictured) and Webster failed to show for the club's pre-season trip to Austria on Monday.

Burley admitted talks are ongoing to bring both Skacel and Webster to St Mary's for the new season.

"I've spoken to Hearts about the two players, so we'll have to see how things progress," Burley told Sky Sports News.

"I know Andy Webster has invoked some Fifa ruling, so I don't really know what's happening there, and the club has spoken to Hearts about Rudi."

One player to leave Tynecastle for the season is right back Jason Thomson after he joined Scottish First Division side Livingston on a season-long loan.

The 18-year-old failed to make a first-team appearance for Hearts last season, having made his Hearts debut in March 2005.

Jambos head coach Valdas Ivanauskas believes Thomson's reunion with former Hearts boss John Robertson at Almondvale will help in the defender's progression as a player.

"He will get very good experience playing for Livi with Robbo," Ivanauskas told Hearts' official website. "This is far better for him than playing for our reserves and we wish him well for the season."