It's depressing

McCann signs as Mellor hopes fade 18-01-06

Head coach Graham Rix welcomed Neil McCann back for his second stint at Hearts - but admitted Liverpool striker Neil Mellor was unlikely to follow him to Tynecastle. Scotland winger McCann quit George Burley's Southampton last week and has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal with the team who stand second in the Bank of Scotland Premier League. He becomes the club's third January signing after Lee Johnson and Nerijus Barasa, and could make his debut against Kilmarnock side at Rugby Park this weekend.

Rix said: "I'm delighted - Neil is enthusiastic about coming back and can't wait to play for us. I've been saying for the last couple of weeks the criteria for coming here is (being) a good player and wanting to play for us - and Neil fits into both categories."

He added: "He can play several positions and brings us experience. We have a squad now competing for place all over the pitch and that's what we want.

"We've got cover in just about every position and that can only be good. Neil brings good experience, pace and knowledge of the game. He is a big signing for us."

McCann added: "It's great to be back. When I left to go to Rangers it was a move I couldn't turn down, but I did always harbour a desire to come back.

"So when Hearts came in and made their interest known, even though I had other offers, there was only one place I wanted to come back. What we achieved in my time here was fantastic, I had a great rapport with the fans and I hope it can continue now I'm back."

Rix is still keen to add new faces but is facing barriers in his bids to sign Liverpool reserve striker Mellor and Racing Genk's Bosnian winger Mirsad Beslija. He added: "We're trying to get a few more, we're trying, but I don't think Mellor will join."

Blues frustrate Alonso Wednesday Jan 18 2006 16:18 Liverpool's Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso has admitted to being frustrated that his side have not been able to close the gap on Premiership leaders Chelsea in recent weeks.

The Reds have won 11 of their last 12 league games, but still trail the Blues by 17 points, although they do have two games in hand on Jose Mourinho's side.

Alonso told the club's official website: "We don't need to talk about catching Chelsea at the moment, we have to look after our own results first.

"They are a good side, who have an amazing record from their first 22 games. It's difficult to see them dropping too many points but you never know.

"We've won a lot of matches over the last couple of months and it can be a frustration when you see the gap isn't really closing.

"But we need to look after ourselves first and make sure we keep picking up the right results.

"We're reaching a key stage of the season now because we have most of the top teams to play over the next four to six weeks.

"If we can get some good results from this period then we should be well placed."