Veterans may have to take a bench seat.

Jefferies bids to block the route to goal

IAN PAUL

6 Apr 1996

TWO of the most effective, long-serving players at Tynecastle, John Robertson and Dave McPherson, could find themselves sitting alongside each other on the bench if Hearts manager Jim Jefferies, as appears likely, decides to opt for the line-up which he has favoured at times this season in the Tennents Scottish Cup sem-final at Hampden this afternoon.

Jefferies has shown a liking for the speedy front-line partnership of John Colquhoun and Alan Lawrence, which would leave no room for the club's highest scorer and most renowned player, 31-year-old Robertson.

In defence, if the manager elects to use the starting system of last week, with Alan McManus and Neil Pointon providing the width, and Neil Berry, Pasquale Bruno and Paul Ritchie the central base, there would be no space for 32-year-old McPherson, who has only recently returned from a long-term injury.

It is a difficult choice for the manager in a tie which could use the experience of players who have been over the course many times.

McPherson, unlike Robertson, has been a major winner with Rangers, but the striker invariably raises his game for the big occasion.

Jefferies has other decisions to make in midfield, where Allan Johnston, Steve Fulton and Gary Mackay may be vying for two places.

It seems likely in this case, however, that the longest serving man at Tynecastle, Mackay, will get the chance to help the cause he has supported for almost 16 years.

The solidity of the defence at Falkirk last week may be a major influence in the manager's thinking as he is aware that the previous weekend the side lost five goals to Partick Thistle at home.

That is a statistic which has been rather forgotten in the dash to highlight Aberdeen's loss of five to Celtic at Parkhead.

While Jefferies' team have done well to haul themselves into contention for a UEFA Cup place and will bring 18,000 committed fans with them along the M8, the fact they share with Edinburgh rivals Hibs the worst total of goals against in the premier division, 50, should serve to temper any excessive optimism based on Aberdeen vulnerability.

One man who will not be making any daft presumptions is Englishman Neil Pointon, who has had enough disappointments to be wary of any over-confidence.

When he was with Everton the club went to two FA Cup finals, but he missed the first because of injury, and the second, when he was expecting to play.

However, the manager changed his mind and left him out altogether at 1.45 on the day.

"It was a very big disappointment, but you have to put these things behind you," said Pointon.

"I have really enjoyed this move, but it seems that I do well when I come to a new club.

"I had two great seasons at Manchester City when I left Everton and then got going quite well at Oldham, but the manager liked to swop the team around for different games.

When Graeme Sharp took over it was decided that people had to go, because of the wage structure, and here I am, loving it in Scotland.

The way the team plays suits me right down to the ground.

"I was injured when the gaffer decided to change to the three-at-the-back system and, although I am a naturally left-sided player, I wasn't sure if I was fit enough to get up and down the field in that role.

He had confidence in me and stuck with me through a couple of indifferent games." Like all the Hearts players, the realisation that the fans have waited 40 years to win this trophy has not escaped Pointon's notice, but he is determined that the weight of that knowledge will not be allowed to hamper their progress.

"This is the team of today and not 40 years ago, and if we play as well as we can we will give Aberdeen a good game." He recognises the pressure players like Mackay must feel.

"Gary has been Billy Whizz all week, running about at 100mph and shouting his head off.

He gets the most of the vibes from the fans.

Maybe with a bit of luck we can give them what they are crying out for." A bit of luck is also what Aberdeen manager Roy Aitken would fancy, even if he is confident that his lot will go through to their second cup final of the season, after lifting the Coca-Cola trophy.

"The chance is there to turn a good season into a great one," he said.

"This is another challenge for the players.

Mentally and physically they are prepared and bursting to play.

I sense they are ready for it." Aitken's conviction is that his side will play to the kind of form that makes them, in his words, "as good as any team in the country." He has every admiration for Hearts.

"Like ourselves, they are trying to pick themselves up from last season and get back contending for honours, but what a great achievement it would be to reach our second final.

That must surely be all the incentive we require." Aberdeen have injury worries over winger Joe Miller and striker Scott Booth.

q.TWO goals from Norway striker Jan Fjortoft and a goal on his Premiership debut by Chris Freestone gave Middlesbrough a 3-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday yesterday and dispelled any lingering relegation still held by Bryan Robson's men.

Middlesbrough deserved their success, which leaves Wednesday still in danger of the drop, after an entertaining second half display which was a complete contrast to the lack-lustre, goalless first period.

Taken from the Herald