Hartley reveals Bundesliga dream

HEARTS midfielder Paul Hartley revealed a trip to the World Cup has fired an ambition to play in the Bundesliga.

The 29-year-old Scotland international suggested he could finish his career at the Tynecastle club last summer when he signed a three-year deal. But after returning from Germany, Hartley hinted that he could be looking to leave Edinburgh when his contract expires in 2008, if not sooner.

Hartley said: "I might have returned from a wonderful stay at the World Cup but my heart is still in Germany.

"So much so that I fancy a crack at the Bundesliga. I'm 29 and if I'm lucky I will have five or six years left at a high level so there's not much time for hanging about.

"I'm at the stage of my career that if I fancy doing something I have to put the wheels in motion as soon as I can."

Writing in his column in a Sunday newspaper, Hartley added: "Playing abroad is something that never seriously crossed my mind but I've returned from the World Cup with a different outlook on football.

"I want to be able to look back on my career with good memories and right now I feel there will be something missing if I've not sampled life on the continent.

"I still have two years left on my contract at Hearts and I'm in no rush to leave. But I'm serious about playing in Germany."

Hartley was outstanding for Hearts last season as they won the Tennent's Scottish Cup and finished second in the championship. He won the Bank of Scotland Premierleague player of the year award and weighed in with 17 goals as the Gorgie club became the first to split the Old Firm in 11 years.

Signed from St Johnstone three years ago on a Bosman free transfer by former Hearts head coach Craig Levein, Hartley has flourished at Tynecastle. He established himself in the Scotland team, making his debut in the World Cup qualifier against Italy in Milan in March last year. He was the subject of a failed bid from Celtic in season 2004-05 but after submitting a transfer request, he decided to pledge his future to Hearts and signed a new contract.

Meanwhile, it was reported yesterday that Celtic and Rangers are considering bids for Hartley's team-mate Andy Webster.

The BBC claimed both Glasgow clubs are interested in the defender who is likely to leave Tynecastle this summer.

The report said German clubs Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Moenchengladbach have also been alerted to Webster's situation by the former Scotland manager Berti Vogts.

Taken from the Scotsman