Football: Hibernian pursue Faroes goalkeeper

HIBERNIAN WILL have to pay up to pounds 500,000 if they are to prise the Faroe Islands goalkeeper, Jakup Mikkelsen, away from the Danish league club Herfolge.

The 28-year-old, who played in the 1-1 draw against Scotland two weeks ago, has one year left on his contract with the club based south of Copenhagen, but he has indicated that he wants to test himself on a bigger stage. He could be interested in the move to Edinburgh, even though Herfolge's new manager, the former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen, joins the club next month.

Herfolge's managing director, Kenneth Wegner, described Mikkelsen as a wanted man. He said: "A number of clubs have expressed an interest in him, including some from England, but there has been no approach from any team in Scotland."

He said the club would be looking for between pounds 400,000 and pounds 500,000 for him.

Ollie Gottskalkson, the Iceland international, is Hibs' present No 1 goalkeeper, but their manager, Alex McLeish, believes competition for places is vital if his side are to survive in the top flight.