Hearts goalkeeper Marian Kello does not anticipate joining Celtic, Hearts' opponents in Wednesday night's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash, at the end of his current contract.
The 29-year-old Slovakia international has been made unavailable for selection for Hearts after clashing with the club board over his refusal to make a transfer deadline-day move to Austria Vienna.
Kello, who missed Sunday's William Hill Scottish Cup draw with St Johnstone, is uncertain if he has played his final game for Hearts, but does not expect to join Neil Lennon's side as he wants to be first choice.
He said: "I would sit there on the bench in the Scottish league. For me there's no point."
Hearts' financial predicament is well documented, with a winding-up petition currently being processed through the Court of Session over an, at present, unpaid tax bill.
And Kello appears to have angered club owner Vladimir Romanov and director Sergejus Fedotovas after the club missed out on a euros 100,000 (£83,000) fee for him.
Kello was unhappy at the 18-month contract offered and, he claims, being coerced into the move, preferring a longer deal and to choose his destination.
With the media assembled for yesterday's pre-match press conference ahead of the Celtic fixture, Kello opted to hold an impromptu briefing of his own to tell his side of the story.
Kello added: "They forced me to go and they were saying 'if you don't go, you might not play'.
"If I have a chance to play, I will play. I will play 100%, because it was the club who gave me the chance to be here, to improve and to get into the (Slovakia) national team.
"I've been here for three and a half years. I've tried to be honest and fight for the club and they just try to put me down all the time.
"I don't know why. I try always my best for the club."
It is 15 league matches since Celtic's last visit to Tynecastle and their last loss, when they suffered a 2-0 defeat on October 2.
Hearts manager Paulo Sergio hopes his side can end the run, although he will have to do without suspended midfielder Ian Black and injured winger David Templeton as well as Kello.
Speaking on Tuesday, Sergio said: "In 10 games we have the chance to beat Celtic two or three times. I hope tomorrow is going to be one of those times."
Post Comment
