Neil makes the most of a total recall

PAUL KIDDIE

WHEN Hearts boss Craig Levein read out the team lines for the Premierleague opener against Aberdeen at Tynecastle, it is fair to assume that Neil MacFarlane was left mightily disappointed to hear his name included among the substitutes.

One of the Jambos’ most consistent performers last season after a remarkably rapid recovery from a serious knee injury, the 25-year-old was left kicking his heels on the sidelines as the Gorgie outfit launched its SPL challenge.

Having made an appearance as a substitute for Phil Stamp with around 15 minutes of the Dons clash remaining, he was no doubt hopeful of earning a starting slot in the first derby of the season at Easter Road the following weekend.

However, there was to be no sunshine on Leith for MacFarlane with the player again left on the bench as his team-mates went down to Garry O’Connor’s dramatic injury-time winner.

Disappointed as he was, the midfielder’s absence from the starting line-ups for the opening matches was testimony to the improved strength of Levein’s squad, the Hearts boss having made some telling forays into the transfer market over the summer.

Tepi Moilanen, Patrick Kisnorbo and Dennis Wyness were all brought on board as Levein set about moulding a squad capable of building on last season’s impressive third place finish.

Another new recruit was Paul Hartley from St Johnstone and his arrival in particular saw competition for places in the middle of the park as intense as ever, with MacFarlane an early casualty of his manager’s recruitment drive.

With Hartley joining Stamp, Scott Severin, Steven Boyack, Stephen Simmons and youngsters Joe Hamill and Robert Sloan in a push for inclusion, MacFarlane knew he would have his work cut out to force his way into the first-team frame.

However, the former Airdrie ace was handed his chance in Saturday’s meeting with Dundee United - and he responded with a performance throughout the 90 minutes which forced Levein into conceding he should not have overlooked him in the first place.

His drive and tenacity in the midfield helped the Jambos dominate proceedings and has ensured he will hang on to the jersey for Sunday’s visit of Dunfermline to the Capital.

"I was delighted to get back into the team and really enjoyed it on Saturday," he said.

"Everybody wants to play for the club here. We have a strong squad and I am the same as everyone else in that I am desperate to do well for Hearts. That is all I want to do. Of course it was disappointing to miss out on the first two games at the start of the season and I was obviously happy to be back in the starting line up for the United game.

"I never complained about having to fight for my place and I have to keep at it now.

"It is difficult to get into the team given the quality of the squad here with the boss having strengthened it over the summer and when you get the chance you have to make the most of it."

Along with Stamp and Severin, MacFarlane helped the home side take a vice-like grip on Saturday’s encounter, the points in the bag by half-time with Hearts already 3-0 ahead thanks to goals from Stamp, Mark de Vries and an own goal from United stopper Mark Wilson.

The opening 45 minutes helped dispel any lingering negative vibes from Easter Road and MacFarlane is hoping the team can now build on the confidence-boosting result.

"It was a hard fought three points against Dundee United and great to bounce back from the disappointment of losing to Hibs in that fashion," he said.

"We got off to a good start and to be 3-0 up by half-time was excellent and I thought everybody did really well.

"The derby defeat hurt everybody at the club but hopefully it will spur us on and we can now go on a good run.

"It was the lowest point I have known since coming to the club but hopefully after that win over United we are now back on the right track."

Taken from the Scotsman