HEARTS MAKE MOVE FOR MAHE

The 32-year-old Frenchman has been in talks at Tynecastle, after the two clubs agreed a fee.

However, Levein has revealed that Mahe`s wages are proving a hard point to overcome.

"We spoke to Celtic a couple of months ago and I last spoke to Martin O'Neill about three weeks ago," Levein said.

"But the problem with the situation with Stephane Mahe is the wage gulf in what we can afford to pay him and what Celtic are paying him just now.

"But we'll work on that and keep talking and if something happens with the player then so be it."

"Most teams know now that you can get some of the fringe players from the Old Firm quite easily.

"But you can understand the players' positions that they are earning very good money so why should they take a drastic drop in wages?

"On the other side of the coin there's the fact that for them to play they would probably need to give up some money and we'll see how the situation develops."

Mahe moved to Parkhead in 1997 from Rennes and has played 109 times for the Bhoys.