Levein is looking to wider horizons at Hearts

MIKE AITKEN

WHILE the spine of the Hearts’ side from Tepi Moilanen in goal through Steven Pressley and Andy Webster in central defence to Scott Severin and Phil Stamp in midfield and Mark De Vries up front looks stronger than in many moons, Craig Levein is still searching for the balance in wider areas.

It’s the need for greater flair and variety on the flanks which has prevented the Tynecastle side from producing more authoritative performances on a par with the emphatic victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. When Hearts have been good this term they’ve been very good, but the consistency which was the hallmark of their play in the second-half of last season has so far proved elusive.

The fact that Jean-Louis Valois has been out through injury and Paul Hartley has needed time to settle since moving to the SPL from the First Division is the obvious explanation for the peaks and troughs of performance. Indeed, it says much for Hearts’ resilience that they’ve still picked up points when below their best.

Last week at Fir Park, Hartley was not only a goalscorer but also one of Hearts’ best players until he picked up an injury and had to be substituted. He’s recovered from the knock and is set to keep his place against Dundee at Tynecastle today.

When both men are match fit, there’s little doubt Levein wants to field a side with Hartley on one flank and Valois on the other. The Frenchman, though, is still short of the standard needed to play 90 minutes in the SPL and probably the best he can hope for this afternoon is to come on as a second-half substitute. Valois is such an enthusiast he would play in every friendly as well as every first-team game, and Levein admitted that attempting to keep the Frenchman on the leash was not dissimilar to "holding onto a stampeding horse".

"We’re reasonably happy with the start we’ve made although I would say because of injuries we’ve not yet pinned down a settled side," he admitted. "There are areas of the side which are settled and others where we’re still looking for the formula. The absence of Valois has been significant and I wouldn’t try and kid anyone by saying we don’t miss him.

"He’s probably our most creative player and offers something completely different from anyone else we’ve got. At 29, he’s at the peak of his form and when he’s fully fit it will be great to have him back. Jean-Louis has been out for three months and had just a week of full training, so I don’t think we can just throw him back in."

Valois was rushed back for the UEFA Cup and because he wasn’t physically ready for that test he picked up another knock. Levein isn’t concerned that the Frenchman’s Achilles problem will re-surface, but he does fret that hamstring, groin and calf injuries are more likely when a player has spent months on the sidelines. Valois is so important to Hearts over the course of a season that Levein can’t take a short-term gamble on his fitness.

"Otherwise we’re doing OK," the coach added. "Paul Hartley is still to settle but for 45 minutes he was our best player against Motherwell. We’ve also brought Patrick Kisnorbro into the side and I’m trying to find a role for him. I would say defensively we look pretty solid and all that’s required is to add a little more flair."

As for Hearts’ fellow travellers in the UEFA Cup, Levein feels his opposite number, Jim Duffy, deserves praise for the sense of purpose he’s brought to Dundee.

"Dundee have some really good players in their side, particularly going forward, and you would expect the two sides to produce an attractive game," added the coach. "There tends to be goals as well as entertaining football when the two sides meet.

"I know that Dundee are one of the few sides who have had some money to spend recently. But what impresses me more about them is how Jim has made them better organised. For me, that’s been a bigger factor in their performances. Dundee have always been an exciting side to watch, but their players work harder now than they did previously and pull in the same direction. That’s all credit to Jim."

While no favours are expected to be done when kick-off arrives, the pre-match compliments were flowing in both directions. Duffy, for his part, believes Hearts have set the benchmark for the other non-Old Firm clubs to follow.

He said: "There’s no doubt in my mind that Hearts are the third force in Scottish football at the moment, no matter what some clubs would like to think. Craig Levein has done a wonderful job there and has worked hard to sort out the whole club from the first team right down.

"It’s taken time, but he’s getting it right and they were the most consistent side out with the big two last season and deserved to finish where they did.

"Their next objective will be to go on and win something whereas the rest of us should forget about catching up with the Old Firm and concentrate on competing with Hearts at the top end of the table regularly."

Duffy, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions that the Old Firm are set to move for striker Fabian Caballero during the January transfer window. The Argentine is one of nine players out of contract in the summer and Duffy is desperate to keep hold of his top players.

He revealed that contract negotiations have already started with some players and no approach had been made for anyone.

He said: "The issue of players’ contracts is being addressed and we’re hopeful that the guys who are out of contract will choose to stay at the club."

Former Hearts goalkeeper Henry Smith has been appointed caretaker manager of East of Scotland League champions Whitehill Welfare following the resignation of Dave Smith last weekend. The 47-year-old is also keeping goal for the Rosewell side.

Taken from the Scotsman