Numbers won't add up for Jordan

RAY HEPBURN

15 Sep 1992

HEARTS' manager Joe Jordan was juggling with numbers last night, and was having difficulty making the books balance.

In addition to the frustrating injury worries, with which the Edinburgh club have coped admirably as their position in the premier division suggests, he has hit a new snag.

Hearts will be affected by the UEFA rule which restricts the participation of non-Scots in a tournament tie to just three players, when they meet Slavia Prague in Czecholsovakia tomorrow.

From the quartet of Dutchman Peter Van de Ven and English players Glynn Snodin, Wayne Foster, and Ian Baird, Jordan will be able to field only three.

In addition, there are injury concerns still lingering over Alan McLaren and Derek Ferguson.

However, there was the better news that Eamonn Bannon, Neil Berry, and John Millar look likely to be involved in the UEFA Cup first-round, first-leg tie.

If Jordan's selection process is muddled, there are sure to be problems on the pitch at tea-time tomorrow, for Hearts' opponents are in splendid form.

Three weeks ago the manager himself watched them dust down city neighbours Dukla 5-1, and last Saturday his chief scout, John Calderwood, watched Slavia defeat Sparta Prague 2-0.

Reflected Jordan: "On the two occasions when we have watched them, Slavia have wiped the floor with the opposition, they are clearly a very useful side.

However we will not be altering our game overmuch, and I remain confident."

From their observations in the old Eastern bloc, Hearts know they must shackle striker Pavel Kuka, who scored four times in the two matches where they were represented.

Taken from the Herald