Hartley's Hearts Move Falls Through

Paul Hartley's proposed move back to Hearts has fallen through, according to the SPL team.

It looked to be all systems go at the end of last week but now it seems the board of directors have had a change of mind.

A club spokesperson told the Scottish Herald: "We are remaining open-minded on signing a midfielder.

"Although our interest has now cooled in Paul Hartley, there are five weeks remaining before the transfer window closes and there are still a number of opportunities currently being explored."

The deal is believed to have collapsed at the 11th hour after reports that Hartley refused to sign a document distancing himself from an incident four years ago when, during his first spell at Tynecastle, he joined goalkeeper Craig Gordon and captain Steven Pressley to hold a press conference criticising owner Vladimir Romanov's rule.

The players were dubbed the "Riccarton Three" in the Scottish press and both Hartley and Pressley were quickly shipped out by Romanov.

Hartley was today reported to have been "disgusted" with the actions of the Hearts board and Aberdeen now head the queue to sign the 33-year-old, as the player seeks to return north of the border to be closer to his young family.

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