Kevin key as Levein plans raid on Ibrox

Graeme Croser

KEVIN McKENNA has been in and out of the Hearts side this season, but tomorrow he’s shaping up to be the key player in Craig Levein’s plans.

The Jambos travel to Ibrox heavily depleted with defenders Alan Maybury and Andy Webster banned, skipper Steven Pressley injured and striker Mark de Vries missing with a hamstring problem.

That’s left Levein with problems both at the heart of his rearguard and in attack.

Normally, McKenna would be the man to step in and solve either problem but the head coach faces the dilemma of where to deploy the Canadian.

The 23-year-old is a centre-half by trade and would probably prefer to play at the back. However, he has been effective up front in the past and never more so than in last weekend’s clash with Kilmarnock when he moved forward in the last half hour.

McKenna, in his manager’s words ‘changed the game’, proving a handful for the Killie defence and having a hand in both goals in a 2-1 victory.

The player himself insists he’ll be happy just to start given a season where he’s found it hard to hold down a regular place.

He said: "To me the most important thing is to try and get a run in the team so I’ll play anywhere.

"Given the problems we have in defence I would think the manager will probably use me there against Rangers, but I’ll just be happy to get a start.

"I’ve not always been a regular this season but I did get a run of eight games earlier in the season and felt I had done quite well.

"I’ve played up front and in defence and been pretty pleased with how I’ve done but the manager decided to make some changes and I was left out again.

"The manager will always do what he feels is best for the team and it’s nice to hear him say I did well last weekend.

"I’m just determined to go and give it my best shot against Rangers and I think we’ll all need to stand up and be counted.

"We’ve a few lads missing but we can’t go into the game thinking about that. We can’t use it as an excuse - we just have to go and get on with the job and try and get a result without them."

McKenna holds the distinction of being the last Hearts player to score against Rangers - the goal coming just over two years ago.

His goal, a deflected free-kick, came at Ibrox in a 3-1 defeat in December 2001 and the former Energie Cottbus stopper admits it’s time the Tynecastle side scored another.

Alex McLeish’s side might be the SPL champions but they are struggling for form at the moment and were soundly beaten by Dunfermline at East End Park last weekend.

McKenna is under no illusion about the quality the Glasgow side retain in their ranks and is aware that victory tomorrow is a tall order.

However, he believes the Gorgie team are due a result against a side they haven’t beaten in their last 22 attempts.

He continued: "We have to go to Ibrox and believe we can get a result.

"I think we’re confident at the moment because we’ve been playing quite well even if the results haven’t always reflected that.

"We’re not in any way complacent, though. No matter what anyone says about Rangers, they are a massive club with a lot of quality players.

"They are at home and will always fancy their chances of beating anyone at Ibrox so it’s going to be difficult.

"We can say we’re due a result against them but that doesn’t count for anything. You have to go and prove yourself on the pitch.

"I’m well aware that I was the last Hearts player to score against them and obviously it would be great to do it again. But to do it in a winning team would be even better."

Levein admits he’s still mulling over just how to approach the game and his decision will be influenced in part on which players the home side have available.

McLeish’s own side has been hit by a spate of injuries lately but Shota Arveladze and Mikel Arteta are expected to return tomorrow.

That 2-0 defeat in Fife last weekend has stung the champions and the Hearts boss expects them to be fired up.

However, he insists he will set his side up to try and get a victory and finally achieve a victory over the team in blue.

He said: "I’ve had a lot of thinking to do over how to set up the team given that we’re missing so many players and that’s something I’ll continue to do.

"We want to go there and give a good account of ourselves and try and get the win.

"People assume that when you go through to Glasgow to play Rangers or Celtic you go there to defend but they forget that there are two teams on the park.

"If either of those sides are on form then they will attack you and no matter your intentions at the start you can find yourself pinned back.

"But we will go there and play our normal shape and try to get the points."

Taken from the Scotsman