LEVEIN HAS NO ISSUE WITH SUMMER TOUR

HEARTS boss Craig Levein insists he would never dream of urging his international stars to withdraw from Scotland’s end-of-season double-header in Peru and Mexico. Celtic, who could have eight players called up for the mammoth trip, have criticised the timing of the fixtures after boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed they will ask the SFA to excuse their players from duty ahead of Champions League qualifiers in July. Hibernian and Aberdeen are believed to have similar reservations, but ex-Scotland manager Levein has no plans to follow suit. With Hearts still hoping for a European finish this term, it’s possible Levein could face a dilemma should they be involved in the early rounds of the Europa League this summer. Christophe Berra is a Scotland mainstay, while John Souttar has been tipped to make his senior international bow this year, but Levein insisted: ‘I don’t know all the background behind it but I would never stop players going on international duty. I think it adds value to players — I don’t mean financially, but to themselves. ‘It’s a big thing and it used to frustrate the life out of me when I knew people were “at it”. ‘You get a player who hasn’t been capped, the agent has been pushing and pushing to get them capped, and the player is saying he’s desperate to play for Scotland — then he gets five caps and a wage rise and then he can’t be bothered! Not naming any names, there.’ Meanwhile, Levein admitted he’s taken a risk bringing Danny Amankwaa to the club. The 23-year-old winger has signed an 18-month deal despite an injury-plagued few years which limited him to just 99 appearances in six years at FC Copenhagen. ‘I’m really pleased I’ve managed to get this done,’ said Levein ahead of today’s visit of Motherwell. ‘As a young boy, his career was heading upwards quickly but then he has had problems with injury. ‘In there somewhere is still that player who was destined to do great things. I accept it’s a bit of a risk, but the type (of injury) makes me feel a little better: knee injuries, problems with cartilage happen, even twice.’ Isma Goncalves is edging closer to a switch to Pakhtakor Tashkent, while Cole Stockton has left Tynecastle by mutual consent.