Hearts players in no rush to leave, says Andrew Driver

ANDREW DRIVER knows departures from Hearts are inevitable in the January transfer window – but the winger is adamant there is no burning desire from the players to flee Tynecastle.

The likes of Marius Zaliukas, Ryan McGowan and even Driver himself have been touted for exits as the club looks to cut costs after being engulfed by financial troubles.

However, Driver, pictured, insists that, despite the ongoing sense of uncertainty at Tynecastle, anyone leaving the club will be leaving against their wishes.

He also promised supporters that there is no chance of any Hearts players being distracted by what may unfold in terms of departures next month.

“In football you never really know what’s going to happen, so you just take every day as it comes,” Driver told the Evening News. “It’s inevitable that some players will be leaving but as a team we just have to take every obstacle in our stride and deal with it when it happens.

“I don’t think anyone will be thinking about what might happen next month. The guys who have been talked about for moves away have all been here for years and are immersed in the club, so there’s no burning desire from anyone to get out.

“I’ve been here for nine years myself so I’m certainly in no rush to leave. Obviously it depends on what the club needs and what the club has to do to move forward.

“Someone like Ryan, who has got clubs after him, isn’t the sort to just chuck it in. He’ll keep giving his all right the way through until the day he has to leave this club.

“I don’t think you have to worry about any of the boys thinking of moving on. They’re all sensible guys here and they’ll all be concentrating on the next game. As a footballer that’s all you can do.”

Meanwhile, Lithuanian trialist Arturas Rimkevicius has returned to his homeland for the time being, while Hearts contest the indefinite signing embargo imposed upon them for allegedly failing to play bonuses and appearance money on time. The striker’s prospective move has been put on hold until Hearts find out if and when they will be able to sign players again. Manager John McGlynn confirmed that the club’s bid to have the transfer embargo lifted is, as yet, no further forward.