BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
HEARTS are receiving guidance from the SFA as they bid to cut through the frustrating red tape holding up the signing of striker Bjorn Johnsen.
The Tynecastle outfit announced the capture of the 6’5” former Valerenga and Atletico Baleares marksman on a three-year deal last Friday as they sought a pick-me-up following their Europa League exit at the hands of Maltese minnows Birkirkara.
However, it subsequently emerged that Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia were laying claim to Johnsen having a contract with them.
The 24-year-old played last season for Litex Lovech, who were merged by controversial owner Grisha Ganchev with Chavdar Etropole and renamed CSKA after bankruptcy proceedings were raised against the country’s most famous club.
Ganchev insists Johnsen has a deal with CSKA and has threatened to take the case to FIFA but Hearts insist they are comfortable with his claims and have the backing of the SFA and UEFA.
The Gorgie outfit were last night still awaiting international clearance for the player but are continuing to liaise with the SFA in a bid to resolve the on-going issue.
Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson told the Edinburgh Evening News: “The hold up is the issue in Bulgaria. Getting international clearance is taking a little bit of time, probably longer than I would’ve expected.
“We’re working on it at the moment and we’re hopeful of getting it.”
