Hartley is enjoying taking centre stage

BY MARK BONTHRONE

HEARTS star Paul Hartley has revealed that switching to a more attacking central midfield role has helped him to produce his best form since moving to the club.

The 27-year-old has been outstanding for the Jambos over the past month and in the last couple of games in particular the Hearts fans have been heard chanting his name from the stands.

Earlier in the season the former St Johnstone and Hibs playmaker had been in and out of the side featuring in a variety of positions across the midfield but a sustained run in the middle of the park has coincided with him producing his best form since signing in the summer.

And Hartley admits he has been delighted to show the Tynecastle supporters the kind of form that convinced manager Craig Levein to swoop for him in the first place.

"The last month to six weeks have been really good," he said.

"I knew when I signed for the club that being an ex-Hibs player the fans could get on my back if I didn’t perform so it has been pleasing to play well and show them what I can do. I think I made a decent enough start but there’s no doubt that it’s been getting better over the last few games.

"I’ve been getting a regular run in the team in the middle of the park which is where I like playing and where I have been used to for the past few seasons. Before that I was being played all over the place and while the most important thing is to get a game it is nice to play in the role that you enjoy most.

"I know it will be hard to hold down that role long-term because of all the good players we have here but I feel I’m doing well enough to be in there just now."

While pleased with his displays recently, Hartley admits there is still one key area where he hopes to see a dramatic improvement between now and the end of the campaign, however.

Last season he netted six times for St Johnstone in the First Division while prior to this afternoon’s clash with Dundee United he had netted just the once for the Jambos - in the 1-1 draw away to Motherwell at the end of September.

He almost doubled his tally for the season in last weekend’s Edinburgh derby at Easter Road and has admitted that he thought his 25-yard free-kick was heading for the top corner before crashing into the woodwork. Television replays also showed Hibs keeper Daniel Andersson may have even got a fingertip on it.

"I won’t come much closer than that, that’s for sure," said Hartley. "On another day that would have gone in but it just bounced the wrong way off the post and you have to credit the goalkeeper with a really good save.

"It looked like it was going in all the way and even when it rolled across the line you were wondering if it would sneak in or be put in by one of our players following up but it just wasn’t to be unfortunately.

"I think not scoring enough goals has been the most disappointing thing since I got here. Recently I’ve been getting chances with breaking into the box late on and I just need to tuck them away if I can.

"Most of my goals for St Johnstone last season were from outside the box and I do want to improve on that side of my game as every player enjoys scoring. I’m looking to try and get a good few more between now and the end of the season."

Taken from the Scotsman