Jambos strike to tie down Struna
HEARTS head coach Ian Cathro has revealed he wants to tie down Andraz Struna on a longer contract following a bright start to his Tynecastle career.
The 27-year-old has made 11 appearances for the capital club following his arrival in January, cementing the right-back berth and turning in a series of assured displays.
Struna initially only penned a deal until the summer, however Cathro sees him as the perfect replacement for Callum Paterson, who has indicated he will leave the club when his deal expires in June.
The Slovenian star, who boasts 25 caps, is currently on international duty after he was named in Srecko Katanec’s squad to face Scotland on Sunday.
Cathro said: “We are in the process of having conversations with some of the players who are currently here until the end of the season.
“We’re starting to address those things just now. Andraz is a player we feel good about and we’ll be having talks with him.”
Meanwhile, Hearts defender Faycal Rherras has been handed an 11th-hour call-up to the Morocco squad – despite playing only one match for the club in 2017
The 23-year-old has been drafted in by Atlas Lions boss Herve Renard on short notice for the upcoming friendlies against Burkina Faso and Tunisia after a swathe of key men were ruled out. Manuel da Costa, Youssef Ait Bennasser and stalwart Juventus defender Mehdi Benatia are all absent.
Rherras’ selection comes as a surprise, given an 81-minute outing against Partick Thistle in February represents his only action this year after losing his place in the Jambos side to Lennard Sowah.
Rherras, who departed Scotland yesterday, joins a host of Hearts players on international duty, with Alexandros Tziolis landing a call-up for the Greece squad and Africa Cup of Nations champion Arnaud Djoum keeping his place in the Cameroon set-up for upcoming friendlies against Tunisia and Guinea.
Liam Smith has also been named in Scot Gemmill’s Scotland under-21 group.
ANEW era has given Robby McCrorie a fresh start. The challenge remains the same for the Rangers keeper.
The journey from Auchenhowie prospect to Ibrox star is a difficult one for young players to compete at the best of times. For McCrorie, there are two considerable obstacles in his path.
The 19-year-old has yet to kick a ball in the Premiership for the Light Blues, but his involvement with the first team this term has given him valuable experiences.
His road to o a starting jersey is blocked ed by Wes Foderingham, who has been one of thee Gers’ top performers this season, and understudy Jak Alnwick.
The arrival al of Pedro Caixinha a has seen the departure ure of Jim Stewart in recent days butut McCrorie is s d determined id to prove hi his f former mentor’s faith in him was not misplaced. He said: “I have really enjoyed the season and I feel that I have progressed a lot, especially in recent months. “There is ple plenty for me to look forwa forward to and I am confident that I can keep getting b better. “With the new manager comingcom in, it is a cleancle slate for everyoneev at theth club and a new challengel for you to prove yourself.lf He will ill have his own ideas. For me and everyone else it is a new chance to prove ourselves.
“It is sad to see Jim go. He has been great for me personally and he has helped a lot of top class goalkeepers over the years.
“I wish him all the best in the future and I will keep in touch with him. Jim has played a massive part in getting me to where I am right now.
“He is still involved with the national team and he has helped the likes of Allan McGregor and Craig Gordon. He really passed on that experi- ence to me and d I’m’ gratefulf l to him.”
WHILE Caixinha puts his squad through their paces in Glasgow during the Premiership break, McCrorie and twin brother Ross have international matters to attend to.
The pair are part of Ricky Sbragia’s Under-19 side that will face Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary in the coming days in the European Championship Elite Round.
And the keeper is determined to continue moving in the right direction as he looks to make an i impressioni at Ibroxb i in theh coming weeks and months.
He said: “Playing for the national side means it is best versus best and it is a different competition from what I am used to in Scotland. It is good to see what level I am at.
“I was with the squad during the pre-season trip to Charleston and I have been training quite a bit with the first team this year.
“I have been involved on a match day as well and it has been good to get that experience.
“The standard with the first time is obviously higher and the intensity is good as well so it is a