HEARTS boss Csaba Laszlo has claimed captain Christophe Berra would be a star in Serie A.

Centre-half Berra is thought to have a host of clubs chasing his signature, with Fulham the latest to be mooted.

Laszlo said: "Christophe is a very talented player. He can play in the first Bundesliga, he can play also in England. Maybe also he can play in Italy.

"Tactically, he has learned very quickly from me. Italy is the country where tactics always come first.

"I think he can play in Italy from his knowledge at the moment."

The Tynecastle boss was talking up his in-demand skipper's qualities ahead of Sunday's Scottish Cup derby clash against Hibs.

But he fears transfer speculation is the reason behind his side's recent form dip.

He said: "This is a problem in football sometimes, especially if you have the transfer window open. A lot of people talk too much.

"For young players especially, it's maybe the first or second time in his life he has the possibility to move. He can lose a lot of energy and not concentrate on his job."

At the other end of the capital, Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen insists he is "quietly confident" his side can come out on top - if they play as well as they can.

The first of an eagerly-anticipated Edinburgh derby double-header ended in a goal-less stalemate in the SPL at Tynecastle last Saturday when neither team could find the cutting edge needed to take all three points.

But Paatelainen remains convinced his team has what it takes to snatch victory this time round.

He said: "The matches are great occasions and very important ones, especially in the cup competitions.

"We know what is at stake and I'm quietly confident we will progress, but it is about what happens on the day."