Classy Fuller makes a goal prince of Wales

GARY Wales is far too modest to point out that Hearts’ excellent recent run of form, with four wins and a draw in their last five matches, has coincided with his restoration to the first-team starting line-up.

But as he celebrates his 23rd birthday today, the striker is certainly entitled to do so with a far greater sense of satisfaction than he has experienced for some time during his injuryaffected Tynecastle career.

While Ricardo Fuller has rightly captured the publicity and plaudits for his role in the rejuvenation of Craig Levein’s side, the Jamaican has been just one half of a front-line partnership which appears to offer the kind of blend the Hearts head coach has been searching for.

Wales counts himself firmly among the growing band of Fuller admirers, the on-loan Jamaican’s highly individual style having made him as popular with his team-mates as he is with the Hearts supporters, who have already afforded him cult status.

The young Scot, who again combined effectively with Fuller on Wednesday as Hearts climbed to fifth place in the SPL table with their 2-0 win at St Johnstone, expressed his surprise yesterday at how quickly the pair have been able to develop an understanding.

It is a factor Wales believes is crucial to his hopes of holding onto a regular first-team place alongside Fuller for the rest of what he now feels can turn into a successful season for the Gorgie club.

"Ricardo is a very unique kind of player and a different sort of forward to what we normally have at the club," said Wales. "Myself, Andy Kirk and Stephane Adam are all very similar and Ricardo brings something that little bit different.

"When a new player like him comes in, it can be difficult because usually it takes a bit of time for whoever is alongside him to link up well. But we have rubbed off quicker than I would have thought.

"Every game, we get better and better so long may it continue and we keep scoring more goals together."

Wales has had to exercise patience before showing Levein his ability, having been sidelined by the broken leg which curtailed his career when the head coach took over the helm from Jim Jefferies a year ago.

‘Ricardo and I have rubbed off quicker than I thought. Every game we get better and better’ - GARY WALES

His recent performances appear to have pushed him ahead of Kirk and the recuperating Adam in the fight for front-line places at the club, something which delights Levein’s assistant Peter Houston who has watched Wales’ development at close quarters since he was signed from Hamilton Accies three years ago.

"Gary is feeding off Ricardo Fuller really well," said Houston, "and he is now starting to show Craig what he is capable of. I’m really pleased for Gary because he was out for a long time. Now, with a run of games and a few goals, his confidence is up and we are seeing the best of him again."

The restored feel-good factor surrounding Hearts was very much in evidence at Tynecastle yesterday as the club held a media conference to look ahead to tomorrow’s Tennents Scottish Cup third-round tie at home to Ross County.

It is a far cry from the dismal days of earlier in the season, among them the night the First Division club eliminated Hearts from the CIS Insurance Cup on penalty kicks in a second-round tie in Dingwall. That was a tie Wales watched from the stand and he said: "It was a very frustrating night, but it’s behind us now.

"The players are all just looking forward now. We have to do the business on Saturday and if we can keep up the form we are in right now, I don’t see any reason why we can’t go on a good run in the Scottish Cup."

Further positive news for Hearts’ ever-easing injury list yesterday came when Houston reported Slovakian midfielder Robert Tomaschek, sidelined since August by ligament damage, has started running again and could be back within a month.

"The squad was down to the bare bones at one stage this season," said Houston.

"But now we have a subs bench with Simmons, Kirk, Boyack and Severin on it which augurs well."

There was further good news for Hearts yesterday when it emerged that Adam is close to returning to training. The French striker has been out since November after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury against Dundee, but he is now able to run and is expected to be able to return to training next week.

Taken from the Scotsman