Hoops eye up Berra

The Parkhead club have so far been thwarted in their moves to add a new centre-half to their title-winning squad. Indeed, to date, only winger Pat McCourt has been brought in.

But boss Gordon Strachan has been linked with a host of players, including defenders Martin Stranzl, of Spartak Moscow, and Auxerre’s Gabriel Tamas – and 23-year-old Berra is the latest to be associated with the Hoops.

But the waters are muddied with Berra following Laszlo’s appointment on Friday as there is no way the Romanian-born Tynecastle boss will want to sell the club captain and arguably best asset without having seen him play.

But, with money tight at Hearts, it could be that the decision is taken out of his hands – if Celtic follow through with a firm offer.

And, as a sideline to the transfer, it could create the first piece of friction between Laszlo and owner Vladimir Romanov.

The new boss has already said he wants to keep Berra and Andy Driver, who is the subject of transfer interest from Burnley.

Berra has been on the radar of a number of clubs. Rangers were alleged to have been interested, but the nearest the 23-year-old came to a move was to Wolves, whose offer was rejected by Hearts.

Now Strachan may go for Berra as he is anxious to get players in before the Hoops start pre-season at Southampton on Friday.