Hearts make move to sign Mark Kerr from Dundee United

HEARTS have declared an interest in luring Dundee United's Mark Kerr to Tynecastle in time for next season, but face competition from five other clubs.

The midfielder is available on a free transfer after informing United that he will not extend his current contract when it expires at the end of the season.

Preliminary discussions have taken place between Kerr's agent and Hearts officials, however Aberdeen, Preston North End and Nottingham Forest are among those also monitoring the situation closely.

"I've spoken with Hearts about Mark and I'm still speaking with them. No deal has been done as yet," Kerr's agent, Scott Hume, told the Evening News. "Mark has six teams in total interested in him from England, Scotland and the continent. He has a few options and Hearts have yet to discuss figures in detail with us."

Vladimir Romanov, Hearts' majority shareholder, was alerted to Kerr's availability by sport director Anatoli Korobochka and caretaker boss Stephen Frail. He is one of a number of players shortlisted as potential signing targets for the new season.

Meanwhile, Frail has confirmed that the bulk of the team's pre-season preparations will take place at Riccarton this summer in a change from recent years.

In both of the last two summers Hearts embarked upon lengthy continental-style training camps in Austria and Germany which were only moderately successful. This time the players will work predominantly on their fitness at home before a shorter week-long trip back to Germany.

"We want to be at Riccarton for the first couple of weeks to do the bulk of the work," said Frail. "Everything is there on site so that makes it easier. There is sports science equipment, the gym and other facilities are all at our disposal.

"The places we've gone to in the past have been fine but we know everything is at our fingertips at Riccarton. We'll do most of the work here and then get the players away round about mid-July.

"We have a testimonial in Belfast but we should be going to Germany later in July for around a week or so."

Robbie Neilson has become the first Hearts player to be inducted into the 'Show Racism the Red Card' Hall of Fame.

The Tynecastle full-back will join the likes of Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs in being honoured for his work to drive racism out of football.

Neilson will accept his reward at a ceremony in London on Monday which will be hosted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.