Okotie denies Red Bull talks
Austria Vienna star Rubin Okotie rubbished reports claiming he was eyeing a move to champions Red Bull Salzburg.The 22-year-old said yesterday (Tues): “I want to stress that there have been no talks at all from my side or by my management with Red Bull Salzburg or other clubs.”The striker is sidelined after suffering articular cartilage damage in his knee last August. Okotie, whose contract runs out at the end of this season, stressed getting fit was his priority.The Austrian national team player recently rejoined the team in training, but is not expected to perform for the club in their away match against Kapfenberg tonight.Austria Vienna executive manager Thomas Parits meanwhile said he hoped Okotie would stay, but also made clear: “I can imagine he considers a transfer if he gets a better offer from a club like Red Bull.”Austria Vienna defender Aleksandar Dragovic is meanwhile on his way out as his contract expires this summer. The 19-year-old is on the wish list of Italian and German clubs. Austria Vienna bosses already reacted to his expected departure by signing Under-21s captain Georg Margreitter from LASK Linz.Rapid Vienna, Austria Viennas archrivals, meanwhile failed to beat LASK Linz last night (0-0). The vice champions missed several chances to score against the team managed by Helmut Kraft.It was the first goalless draw in a Bundesliga home match for Rapid since August 2007. The team of former FC Tirol star Peter Pacult are now five points down to Red Bull who can extend their lead against SV Ried tonight.Sixth-placed Mattersburg meanwhile have the chance to overtake Magna Wiener Neustadt, while fourth-placed Sturm Graz meet bottom lights Austria Kärnten.The Bundesliga table:Red Bull Salzburg, 65 pointsRapid Vienna, 60Austria Vienna, 56Sturm Graz, 48Magna Wiener Neustadt, 37Mattersburg, 36SV Ried, 32LASK Linz, 32Kapfenberg, 25Austria Kärnten, 11