I pushed too hard - Niemi

INJURED Hearts keeper Antti Niemi today set his sights on a comeback against Celtic after admitting he pushed himself too hard in his bid to make tomorrow’s vital Premier League clash against Livingston.

The Finnish international has ruled himself out of the trip to Almondvale with the broken finger which he sustained in the win over Motherwell just before Christmas still causing him problems.

It had been expected that the former Rangers star would be fit to reclaim his place from understudy Roddy McKenzie for the visit to West Lothian.

But after returning to training this week earlier than advised by the medical experts, the 29-year-old has decided not to gamble on his fitness.

Niemi was put through his paces on Tuesday, but had to concede defeat in his race to face the Lions with Hearts desperate to secure the win which would take them to within three points of their third-placed opponents.

"I tried to train earlier this week but the finger was still painful," he said.

"I came back a bit earlier than the doctors suggested as I thought I would be okay. I tried it out a bit sooner than I should have perhaps and it didn’t feel right.

"I don’t want to play tomorrow as I could let the team down. It is the sort of thing which I could maybe get away with if I did play but if I produced a poor performance it would not be fair on the rest of the guys."

He added: "I have been out for something like three-and-half weeks so another three or four days shouldn’t be much of a problem.

"We play Celtic at Parkhead on Wednesday and, although it is still early, I may have a chance for that game.

"But I’ll have to see how the injury is after the weekend and think about my overall sharpness as well as I haven’t played since the Motherwell match in December."

Boss Craig Levein has no worries about continuing with McKenzie in goal, the Tynecastle No.2 having proved he is a more than capable deputy.

He has yet to play in a losing Hearts side after coming into the side against Dundee United on Boxing Day, the Jambos hoping to extend their unbeaten run to seven games against Livingston.

"Roddy has done very well for us and has not let anyone down with his displays," he said.

"He deserves a lot of credit for the way he has handled things and I have no problems with him lining up against Livingston tomorrow.

"We have not really missed Antti which speaks volumes for how well Roddy is doing."

The Jambos are searching for their first win over the Lions with Jim Leishman’s outfit following up triumph on the opening day of the season at Almondvale with victory at Tynecastle in November.

That 3-1 loss still rankles with Levein and he is looking for his players to come out on top tomorrow.

"Livingston have beaten us twice already this season and their second victory was very comfortable which was disappointing as far as we were concerned," he said.

"The way the game unfolded I would have to rate it as our heaviest defeat of the season.

"We will be going to Almondvale with no other intention other than to try to win the game."

Stephane Mahe looks set to hand Levein a boost by declaring himself fit and the manager is also ready to hand Scott Severin his first start since October.

Taken from the Scotsman