Kingston eyeing silverware

Laryea Kingston has set his sights on winning silverware next season after pledging his future to Hearts.

The midfielder, 26, put pen to paper on a three-year deal on Thursday after a hugely successful loan spell at Tynecastle this season.

Despite reported interest from the Barclays Premiership, he opted to remain in Gorgie after quickly establishing himself as a fans' favourite.

The Ghana international is now desperate to guide Hearts back to where they were this time 12 months ago, when they had just secured second place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League and clinched the Tennent's Scottish Cup.

He said: "I was delighted at how quickly I settled in Edinburgh when I first arrived in Scotland.

"But that is not enough. I need to keep going and improve on what I did last season for Hearts.

"That is my aim and, with God's help, I know I can do it.

"My aim is to win things with Hearts, whether it is the league championship or the Scottish Cup.

"I will be working hard and doing my best to help the team win as much as we can.

"I have stayed here in Ghana throughout my holiday as I am away from home for a long time and I wanted to enjoy my family and friends.

"But I'll be back for pre-season training later this month - I have already started doing some fitness stuff here - and I'm determined it will be a successful one for Hearts."

Kingston insists there was never any real doubt that he would remain at Hearts after such a successful loan spell from Russian outfit Terek Grozny.

He told Hearts World: "I am very happy with the club. I was at Tynecastle for four months initially and I really liked the people there, my team-mates, the management and the fans.

"In my short time there, everyone was so friendly to me and I felt comfortable almost immediately. It's normal to want to stay some place where you are happy.

"All along, I have had the feeling that Hearts would be my home. I love the club and, no matter what happened with regards my contract, I would not have lost my affection for them.

"There wasn't one big factor in my decision to sign - it is everything about the club.

"My family is very happy in Edinburgh and that is important as well because I cannot do without them."