Bikey on cloud nine over move to Hearts

HEARTS have signed striker Dylan Bikey after the 21-year-old scored nine goals in as many games for Stirling.

The Frenchman, who joined the League Two side in November after leaving Dieppe, could make his debut in tomorrow’s Premiership encounter at Celtic Park.

Bikey said: “This is a new challenge for me. It’s a big club with a big stadium and it’s a Premiership team, so I’m very happy to play for Hearts.

“It’s a very big opportunity for me. This is my first time at a full-time professional club so it’s a good opportunity for me.

“I enjoyed my time at Stirling Albion. I had good moments with them and I’d like to thank them and their fans for helping me when I first came to Scotland.

“Playing in the lower leagues has been hard. But I will try every day, I will learn and it’s good for me.

“I’m very excited to play in front of thousands of Hearts fans and I hope to score goals for them, and make them happy.”

The Edinburgh club are also believed to be closing in on a £170,000 deal for Anorthosis Famagusta forward Goncalves, who previously worked with Cathro at Portuguese side Rio Ave.

But the former St Mirren player is unlikely to arrive until Monday with Anorthosis trying to sign a replacement before allowing him to leave.

Cathro’s team came through a William Hill Scottish Cup scare against Raith Rovers on Wednesday, coming from behind to secure a 4-2 extra-time win and set up a fifthround derby against Hibernian.

It was only Cathro’s second win in seven matches in charge but he is targeting another victory at Celtic Park as the champions bid to break their own 50-year-old record of going the first 26 matches of the domestic season unbeaten.

He said: “It’s the best team in the country, that’s clear, and that becomes a great challenge but also a good opportunity for us to fight to win the game, the same way we would against any opponent.

“Of course we respect it’s difficult but we will go and try to win the game.”