Mirsad Beslija to grit teeth in 'cold wet Scotland' for return to Hearts

MIRSAD BESLIJA has confirmed his imminent return to Hearts from the Belgian side Sint- Truiden but admitted only gritting his teeth will enable him to complete the final year of his Tynecastle contract.

The Bosnian winger stressed that he and his family find life in Scotland difficult, citing the cold and rain as particularly unpleasant, although he expects to receive more game time next season following Hearts' recent trimming of their first-team squad.

Persistent injury problems prevented him imposing himself during his season-long loan at Sint-Truiden. The Belgian side have been relegated and the player is due to report back to Riccarton next month when pre-season training begins.

A club record £800,000 signing from Racing Genk in 2006, Beslija has appeared only 13 times for Hearts in two years and intends to move on when his £9000-a-week contract expires next summer. Until then, he claims living in Edinburgh will be an arduous task. "It's not an option for me to stay with Sint-Truiden in the second division. I'm going back to Scotland," he said. "I still have a one-year contract and I will serve it out.

"It's true that my family and I don't think living in Scotland is really nice. It's always cold there and it's often raining. In Genk, people are much friendlier. But everybody knows I have a very nice contract at Hearts. I have to grit my teeth and stay one more year.


"I think I will get more opportunities to play next season. Hearts will not play in Europe and have omitted some players from their squad. The situation over there is getting more normal now. After Scotland, I'll be going back to Bosnia or maybe to Croatia. I hope I'll be able to play some more years over there before I quit."

The 26-year-old feels relentless injuries prevented him showcasing his true potential with Sint-Truiden last season despite feeling more at home in Belgium. "I couldn't help Sint-Truiden because of some injuries and I regret this," he continued.

"At coming back to Belgium, I had great memories of my time in Genk and of living in this country.

"It was perfect. Therefore I had no doubts when Sint-Truiden asked me to come back to Belgium.

"It didn't work out. I was injured most of the time and couldn't play at my own strength. I couldn't help the team. I understand people at Staaien are disappointed because of this."

Meanwhile, Hearts were today credited with an interest in Gretna striker Mickael Buscher and Kilmarnock's Mehdi Taouil, with Buscher's agent claiming his client has been granted a trial at Riccarton.