Wolves frustrated as Berra decides to stay at Hearts for Laszlo's new dawn

The Hearts skipper and new Scotland cap had been linked with a move to Celtic or Rangers, while English Championship side Wolves failed to land him with a £1.5million bid. 

Backing his new boss: Berra

The central defender had been frustrated by owner Vladimir Romanov's six-month search for a manager.

But, following last week's appointment of former Uganda coach Laszlo, a face-to-face talk with the Romanian-born boss has convinced Berra the future will be bright in Edinburgh.

He said: 'I am happy at Hearts and the fact we now have a manager in place working on the team on a daily basis is a big factor for me.

'The new boss has laid down his guidelines. I have been impressed with him and I am looking forward to the season starting.

'There has been a lot of speculation about my future but I am happy here at the moment. I have been impressed with the manager and I'm sure he can help improve me as an individual and take the team forward.

'I want to win trophies and be successful. I need to look after myself and want to keep improving.

'The boss hasn't been here long but he knows how he wants us to play and how he wants us to work. He believes that discipline is important. I have a good feeling about the appointment.

'The club worked hard to bring in a new manager and I think they have done a good job. Now, we are all looking forward to improving on last season and finishing as high up the league as we can.' 

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy last night admitted defeat in his pursuit of Berra. He said: 'We had a bid in for Berra but that deal is dead.

'Hearts are saying he won't be going anywhere, so I've moved on.'

An ankle complaint ensured Berra did not feature in Laszlo's first game at the helm for the Tynecastle club, as they lost in a penalty shoot-out to Glentoran in Belfast on Monday. But he hopes to return f o r tonight' s friendly at Dunfermline.

Meanwhile, Pars new boy Austin McCann is looking forward to this evening's game because it will be the first time he has faced his old club - and old pal Robbie Neilson - since leaving Tynecastle for Notts County in McCann said: 'It's my first match at East End Park and it will be good to see Robbie and Christophe Berra, who was a young player coming through the ranks when I was at Hearts. 2004.

'I played in the same boys' club team as Robbie in Glasgow and I have known him for a long time, so it will be good to catch up with him.

'He is the only one left from the first-team players I played alongside.'