Gorgie fans can help in Euro push - Maybury

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS star Alan Maybury today insisted that the Gorgie faithful has a key role to play as the Jambos strive to book a return ticket to Europe.

The Irishman was delighted to see around 3000 supporters make the trip to East End Park last weekend for the crunch league clash with Dunfermline and as Craig Levein’s men prepare for another tough away day tomorrow at Kilmarnock, the former Leeds United star is hoping for another good turnout in Ayrshire.

"We have taken a good support to most grounds we have gone to this season," he said.

"That is important to us and it was great to see so many fans at Dunfermline. Hopefully they will turn out in their numbers again at Rugby Park."

Levein, who is without Mark de Vries, Paul Hartley, Patrick Kisnorbo, Steven Boyack and Scott Severin tomorrow, is also hoping to see the supporters descend on Ayrshire in numbers, although with the game being televised live immediately after the Old Firm Tennent’s Scottish Cup quarter-final showdown at Parkhead, he appreciates that may not necessarily be the case.

"The support was magnificent against Dunfermline and the backing they gave the players was brilliant and made it seem like a home game at times," he said.

"It would be great if we had another good travelling support tomorrow but I would understand if it isn’t.

"The game is live on the television and the Old Firm are also on TV in the Scottish Cup and that could have an affect on people’s decision to travel to Kilmarnock or not."

Centre-half Christophe Berra is set to be added to the squad for tomorrow with Levein forced to field a makeshift side.

Taken from the Scotsman