Maybury aims to make Killie pay for blunder

ALAN MAYBURY was gutted to have missed the recent clashes with both sides of the Old Firm, but the Irishman is relishing the prospect of facing Kilmarnock tomorrow in a match he claims is one of the biggest of the season for Hearts.

The defender looks set to regain his place in Craig Levein’s starting XI for the trip to Rugby Park after being forced to sit out last week’s defeat by Rangers because of an administrative blunder by the SFA.

The former Leeds United man served an automatic suspension against Celtic after being dismissed at Livingston last month.

The red card, though, triggered a two-game suspension - a fact missed by the beaks because of a computer error.

Maybury was allowed to line up against Dunfermline at East End Park but was then forced to complete his ban when Alex McLeish brought his side to the Capital for last weekend’s live televised encounter.

Games against the Glasgow giants are the fixtures which most players look forward to with heightened anticipation, hence the Gorgie star’s disappointment at his unwanted double.

However, while those matches are big occasions, tomorrow’s showdown with Bobby Williamson’s men could have a vital bearing on the compilation of the top six when the league splits next month.

Maybury is desperate to play his part in helping the Jambos chalk up their first win in six attempts - three points tomorrow would see Hearts leapfrog their opponents back into fifth position. "Tomorrow is a massive game for us, to be honest probably one of the biggest of the season for the club," he said.

"We are coming towards the crunch time as far as the league splitting is concerned, and with the middle of the league so tight at the moment every point is vital for us.

"A win would give everybody a lift. Over the Christmas period we had a good run and quickly climbed the table, but now we have fallen behind a bit just as fast with a few games without a win.

"If we can force our way into fifth spot tomorrow, the games coming up after that are definitely winnable."

He added: "I’m really looking forward to the match, particularly after having to miss out against Rangers last weekend.

"I found out the Monday after the draw at Dunfermline, when I came into the club and was told that a letter had arrived saying I was supposed to have been suspended for two games.

"The mix-up meant I missed both the Celtic and Rangers matches. They are big games and the ones you really want to play in.

"But I am raring to go again tomorrow after my break if the boss decides to change things around a bit."

Maybury looked in admiration from the main stand as Antti Niemi tried his best to keep Rangers at bay, the inspired Finn eventually being beaten by Ronald de Boer and Neil McCann in the second half.

Boss Craig Levein said afterwards that he would prefer his keeper to be less busy during matches, and Maybury is keeping his fingers crossed that the Jambos back line can give him a bit more protection against Kilmarnock.

"Antti was outstanding last weekend," he said.

"Hopefully we can make things a bit easier for him at Rugby Park, as he was a bit over-worked against Rangers. Some of the stops he made were brilliant.

"He again proved his worth to the side but to be fair, since I came to Tynecastle he has kept us in a number of games.

"We know it is going to be a difficult task as Kilmarnock are a good passing side and with them being at home the onus will be on them to attack.

"We will have to knuckle down and fight for everything and, with a bit of luck, Antti won’t have so many saves to make. If we can get a good result, it will give us something to build on over the next few weeks."

Taken from the Scotsman