Robertson warmed by Hearts

REGULAR is the incidence, on the current SPL scene, where a fabled soul is interrupted from the humdrum of his coaching career to answer questions of loyalty; most typically, this interrogation takes place when the fixture schedule throws his new team up against the one closest to his heart. Such matters of sentiment provide a large slice of the soap element of our game.

You might have witnessed such a script being played out over Alex McLeish’s first excursion to Pittodrie as Rangers manager. Elsewhere, one member of the new backroom staff at Motherwell is inevitably stung by strong split loyalties every time the Steelmen face either Aberdeen, Rangers or Celtic, while it cannot be anything other than a queer feeling for Dunfermline’s Ian Ferguson and Kilmarnock’s Ian Durrant to ever do battle with men bearing the insignia of RFC.

None of these bygone idols, though, more regularly has his feelings filed on the subject of divided support than John Robertson. Every time Livingston face Hearts, a new league engagement that takes place for the third time at Almondvale this afternoon, the greatest goalscorer in the Tynecastle club’s history is forced to come clean over a genuine, continued emotional attachment to his employers’ opponents.

Usually, though, Robertson’s task at this juncture is to brood over a grave matter. Since he left Hearts after their Scottish Cup triumph of 1998, the club has endured persistent bouts of sporting and economic sickness that have forced him to wince whenever his opinion is sought. Yesterday, though, Livingston’s first-team coach was enthusiasm personified on the subject.

Much of his gushing praise for Hearts centred on Ricardo Fuller, a striker whose like he claims never to have seen in the maroon shirt, or anywhere else, across three decades of football. But more significantly, Robertson is wary of anticipating a third consecutive victory over Craig Levein’s men. After collecting 16 points from six SPL games, he expects finally to see "the real Hearts" in action.

"Hearts are playing great: I think they are the form team [in Scotland]," said Robertson. "I know Craig has been keen to play down the Ricardo Fuller part, but he has been outstanding; the cornerstone of their success.

"Craig said when he first got Fuller that one minute he would beat four players and stick the ball in the top corner, and the next minute he would stand on the ball. His first few games were quiet, but he has just exploded.

"I think Ricardo is unique. People always do look to the past and try and compare them to someone, but Ricardo has his own style. And at last, with a talent like that on show, there’s a buzz about the place again."

This buzz contrasts markedly with the all-too-familiar strains of protest that followed Livingston’s 3-1 triumph in Edinburgh in November, a result which complemented their opening-day coup in West Lothian.

"We have caught them twice at the right time: we caught them a wee bit cold at the start of the season when they didn’t really know what to expect, and then in the second game at Tynecastle their confidence was drained," added Robertson. "Whereas, on Saturday, I think we will see the real Hearts."

Indeed, their identity will be somewhat replenished by the return of Scott Severin, who will start an SPL game for the first time since October as Hearts strive to secure the win which would narrow the gap between themselves and Livingston in third place to just three points.

The absence of central defender Kevin McKenna on international duty with Canada will hand one of Scotland’s brightest young talents an opportunity to revive his career with both club and country.

A former captain of Scotland’s Under-21 side who earned his first full cap against Latvia, Severin has been plagued by ankle problems. Although he’s better known as a midfield player, Severin will slot in beside Steven Pressley and Andy Webster in central defence.

"This is an important period both for the club and myself," he said yesterday. I need to regain match fitness and try and get back into the first team at Hearts. That has to be my priority before I can even think about playing for Scotland again.

"Whoever takes over from Craig Brown as manager of the national team will go round the matches assessing players for himself. If I get fit and can recapture my best form, then hopefully there will be other opportunities."

Whatever the outcome of today’s match, Levein regards Livingston as strong favourites to claim a place in Europe next season.

Taken from the Scotsman