Marian Kello last night admitted that he's pleased to have secured a permanent two year deal at Tynecastle.

The Sloakian has spent the last two seasons in Gorgie on loan from FBK Kaunas.

Now he's secured a full-time move to Edinburgh on a free transfer and he's absolutely delighted.

"It was always about if I stayed here or went to Kaunas but I am here for two years," he said.

"At the end of the season every year you must talk about a new contract or whether you are going back," he said.

"You can be a little bit confused in your head. If you get an injury it is always not easy so I am happy that it is two years."

Now he's determined to prove his worth and justify the tag that many believe he should earn.

"I would like to stay as No 1 but I must prove my performance on the pitch and if I will play I want to play as good as I can and be at the top of the league," he said.

"I want to achieve something in Europe as well. That is my target for next season to be at the top of the table.

"It would be great if we could win a Cup for the supporters. They deserve that, so we want to play good and successful football."

Marian believes that Hearts are looking sharp for the new season after a punishing schedule of pre-season fitness work.

"I think the team is prepared very well and Jim did very good work with us," he explained.

"The boys look sharp and good on the ball. We have something to improve but with the league coming we can be better and better and with more confidence. Hopefully I can improve myself and play.

"I think now that it will be a better season than at the end of last season. Jim has had the time to work with us and make his thinking and we try to go his way.

"We will see what is going to happen in the league but I think we are a good team now and hopefully we can be battling for third place if it is possible."

On Hearts.TV today - Catch match highlights from Tuesday's defeat to Wolves at Tynecastle