Maybury stresses the positives of Parkhead

STUART BATHGATE

THE supposed trauma of Saturday at Celtic Park did not take long for Hearts to get over, according to Alan Maybury. The Edinburgh side conceded two late goals to come away with a point rather than three, but the Irish international believes they are in fine fettle again for tonight’s match at Motherwell.

"The last five minutes were disappointing, but maybe we can look back and say that taking a point at Celtic Park was not too bad," said Maybury of the 2-2 draw. "For 85 minutes we played on the front foot, and just defended too deep for the last five."

The right-back should take his usual place in the Hearts side tonight, but coach Craig Levein will definitely be without Robert Sloan, Phil Stamp and Kevin McKenna, and also rated Scott Severin as unlikely. In addition to that, Steven Boyack may not yet be match fit following his long injury lay-off, while Andy Webster trained yesterday but is also a doubt.

It was in similar circumstances last year that an injury-ravaged Hearts side went to Fir Park and let in six goals, but, for all Terry Butcher’s claims that his team were ready to score a barrel-load against someone, such a scoreline is unlikely to arise tonight. Levein knows, all the same, that Motherwell are on form at the moment.

"They were very unfortunate not to get at least a point against Rangers, and should maybe have got more," Levein said of Sunday’s 1-0 defeat.

Motherwell striker Scott McDonald and midfielder Shaun Fagan have shaken off knocks, but Willie Kinniburgh is out.

Taken from the Scotsman