Adam believes Parkhead will bring out the best in Fuller

HEARTS striker Stephane Adam insists the Jambos have not given up catching third-placed Livingston - despite Saturday’s defeat at Almondvale leaving them trailing the SPL new boys by nine points.

Craig Levein’s side had the opportunity to cut the Lions lead to just three points with victory at the weekend but instead saw the gap widen after second-half goals from David Bingham and David Fernandez proved too much for Hearts to overcome after the unfortunate first-half dismissal of Alan Maybury.

The result was not what the Gorgie boss was looking for ahead of this evening’s clash with Celtic at Parkhead, although his team’s display was such that the recent boost in confidence should not be unduly affected by the setback.

"We were disappointed to lose the game as the chance was there to close the gap," said Adam, who made his latest comeback from injury as a second-half substitute in West Lothian.

"We are now nine points behind third place but it is not over yet. With three points for a win things can change very quickly and there are a lot of games still to go before the end of the season.

"We have to keep believing in ourselves and continue to show the sort of spirit which has served us so well in recent weeks.

"We may have lost to Livingston again and it is wonderful what they have achieved this season, but I believe we have a better side than them and can play better football.

"We were all disappointed that Alan Maybury got sent off in the first half. It happened right in front of me at the dug out and he definitely kicked the ball and not David Fernandez."

He added: "We were left playing with ten men for an hour and I am sure if we had kept 11 on the pitch we would have won the game. Even with a man down we kept creating chances and causing them problems.

"Their goalkeeper was named man of the match and that tells its own story as far as I am concerned."

The Frenchman has had a nightmare time of it with injuries this season, Saturday’s appearance his first since suffering a recurrence of a hamstring problem against Dundee in November.

Delighted to be back in the first-team frame, the former Metz attacker appreciates it will be difficult to dislodge Ricardo Fuller and Gary Wales from the starting line-up given the pair’s form up front for Hearts. There have been suggestions that he could play from the start this evening but the French ace is happy to go along with whatever his manager decides.

What is certain is that Fuller will be handed the task of trying to get behind the imposing home backline and Adam is convinced that the Jamaican loan star has all the attributes to cause problems for the champions tonight.

"Ricardo has made a big difference to us since he came to the club," he said. "He is a quality player who is fast, strong and has loads of talent.

"He could pose a few problems for the Celtic defence tonight and we have to try to take advantage of that. Obviously with him doing so well at the moment it will be difficult for me to get back into the team but I am ready if the boss wants me.

"Andy Kirk has also had to be content with a place on the bench recently but this is just another challenge for me.

"Celtic is a very tough match for us but going to Parkhead is a good test. We ran them close the last time at Tynecastle and only lost to a penalty. We are all looking forward to this one.

"Parkhead is a wonderful stadium to play in and Celtic matches are always exciting encounters."

Absence has certainly made the heart grow fonder for Adam, who is hoping to stay clear of injury from now until the end of the season.

"I have a renewed hunger to do well for the club after being out injured again," he said.

"This is another challenge and I will continue to work hard and try to stay in the manager’s plans.

"I know I felt like quitting after my last injury but I had to be patient and fight my way back which is what I have done.

"I am keeping my fingers crossed I will have an injury-free run as the next one I get could be it for me.

"It is always very tough having to start back at zero every time and I get upset when I am not available. I had a lot of tests done on the problem and the doctors couldn’t find anything wrong so I think I have just been very unlucky.

"I would have to think very carefully if something did happen but my only concern at the moment is keeping my place in the squad.

"I have missed playing for Hearts and even though we lost on Saturday I enjoyed being back in the team.

"We didn’t enjoy the Livingston result but hopefully we can produce another good performance tonight at Celtic Park and maybe get one or two wee breaks."

Levein was roundly criticised by the west coast media after the last time the teams met at Parkhead in August when Celtic ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.

The Jambos boss employed what they perceived to be ultra negative tactics in a bid to frustrate the home side and midfielder Alan Thompson is hoping tonight’s visitors go into the clash with a greater sense of adventure, although he concedes that could be playing into the Treble winners hands.

"We know it is going to be another tough match for us," he said. "Hopefully Hearts will come and try to get something which would suit us because it would make it more of an open game."

Taken from the Scotsman