Tommi’s making his name at Tynecastle

"TOMMI who?" was probably the question on the lips of every Hearts supporter when boss Craig Levein announced the signing of the unknown Finn back in November.

Acting on the recommendation of goalkeeper Antti Niemi, who had no doubts his fellow-countryman’s all-action style would suit the demands of the Scottish Premier League, the Gorgie chief handed the midfielder a contract until the end of the season.

Deprived of the services of Scott Severin and Robert Tomaschek through injury, Levein was anxious to bolster the engine room of his side and managed to lure the 31-year-old from Trelleborgs in Sweden.

More than two months down the line and the Jambo faithful have been given ample illustration as to why Gronlund has been capped more than 30 times for his country.

His role may be a thankless one as he harries and chases over every blade of grass in midfield, but he clearly relishes every minute of it, tackling his opponents like a terrier.

His ability to win the ball in challenges and help set up possession for the likes of Steve Fulton to then unlock defences with his precision passing has been one of the features of Hearts’ recent resurgence.

The Gorgie outfit are unbeaten in their last seven matches and now sit proudly in fourth place in the table.

Their latest success came against Aberdeen on Saturday and Gronlund was the man who sent them on the way to victory at Tynecastle with his first goal for the club, dispatching a crisp shot past Ryan Esson shortly before the interval.

Although Roberto Bisconti netted an equaliser on the stroke of half-time for the visitors, an impressive display from the home side after the break saw them coast to a 3-1 triumph.

Gronlund’s contribution throughout the game was immense, and he admits breaking his duck for the Jambos in what was his 13th consecutive game was a special moment in his career.

"I don’t score many goals - I think I have about 20 in more than ten years of playing professional football - but Saturday’s was one of the most enjoyable for me," he said.

"Ricardo Fuller played the ball to me outside the box and I didn’t know whether to hit it right or left.

"I just hit it to the keeper’s right, and to be honest it took a few moments to sink in that the crowd was cheering as it was actually in the back of the net!

"It was an important strike as it gave us the lead, and although it was disappointing we didn’t hold on until the break we deserved the points after the spirit we showed in the second half."

Goals from Fulton and Gary Wales completed the win over Ebbe Skovdahl’s side, a fact which particularly pleased their manager.

And Gronlund admits it was important to demonstrate that Hearts don’t have to rely on Fuller all the time, the striker having been named Bank of Scotland Player of the Month for December after firing seven goals in his previous six matches.

"It was nice to see others apart from Ricardo get among the goals," he said.

"There is a great feeling at the club just now and I think the atmosphere when we went 2-1 up on Saturday was probably the best I’ve heard at Tynecastle.

"The derby last month was great but we weren’t playing as well and the crowd at the weekend were just superb."

Hearts have moved to within six points of Saturday’s opponents Livingston, but with hazardous trips to Almondvale and Parkhead looming in the next week, Gronlund knows there is much work still to be done.

"We are not getting carried away with what we have done," said the midfielder who made his debut in the 3-1 defeat by the Lions at Tynecastle in early November.

Since then Levein has masterminded a remarkable upturn in fortunes, losing just twice - to the Old Firm - in the following 12 games.

"We have some very difficult games coming up and we will have to keep working hard," said Gronlund.

"We played badly the last time we faced Livingston and it was not the best debut for myself.

"However, we have turned things around well in recent weeks but we have to remember things can change quickly in this game.

"We are all looking forward to Saturday and a win will bring us to within three points of third place which has to be our next target.

"We realise it is going to be very tough and we have to make sure that we maintain the same level of work rate which we have been showing during the successful spell."

Taken from the Scotsman