Pereira to lead attack

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein is set to unleash Spanish strike star Ramon Pereira on Dundee’s defence in tomorrow’s SPL opener at Dens Park.

With Mark de Vries and Kevin McKenna ruled out through injury, the former Raith front man, who has impressed in his side’s pre-season friendlies, is set to make his competitive debut against the Dark Blues.

Levein revealed that the 25-year-old will most likely be partnered by Graham Weir as the Gorgie outfit look to launch their campaign on a winning note against the side which knocked them out of the CIS Cup at the same venue last season.

"I think we are ready. I was reasonably pleased with the performance against Fulham on Saturday," he said.

"The stats against both them and Airdrie were encouraging for us but the only concern is that we haven’t been putting the ball in the back of the net.

"What hasn’t helped is Mark being out. We saw a wee glimpse of Mark and Ramon together against Fulham.

"I haven’t made my mind up yet about tomorrow but Ramon and Graham Weir will probably start, if not Weiry then Dennis Wyness will partner Ramon.

"Pereira will do allright. We had a bit of time to work with him yesterday on the training ground about what we are looking for and he does offer us something different."

There was an unexpected boost for Levein ahead of the Dundee clash with both Andy Webster and Jamie McAllister returning to training yesterday.

Webster has been sidelined by a hamstring injury while McAllister was expected to sit out tomorrow’s game after limping out of the Fulham clash with a similar problem. It is too early to say whether either will make the season’s curtain-raiser but the fact they could be under consideration is a welcome relief for Levein, who saw Neil Janczyk ruled out of the trip to Tayside with a thigh problem picked up in training yesterday.

With Stephen Simmons sidelined until October and goalkeeper Tepi Moilanen laid low by a virus, the Hearts boss admits his injury situation could be better going into the new season.

"The only thing which is a concern is the fact we are hampered a bit by injuries and with us operating with a reduced squad already, that isn’t ideal," he said. "Luckily enough, both Jamie and Andy trained yesterday which I didn’t expect so we’ll see how they are today and if there has been any reaction. But the good news is they might be available.

"Losing Mark is a big blow for us and Kevin McKenna, who would have provided the aerial presence up top with Mark not there, is also out.

"Neil Janczyk has picked up a thigh injury while Stephen Simmons was injured on Tuesday night so that’s four we will be missing. Tepi Moilanen has also been struggling with a virus so it could be that Jamie MacDonald is on the bench tomorrow."

With home games to follow against Aberdeen and Kilmarnock then a trip to Motherwell to complete the Jambos’ August schedule, it would appear on paper as if they have been handed a reasonable start by the SPL.

But Levein insists that is only the case if the players get the results and he admitted he would be happy with a point against Dundee, who will go into the game lifted by the news the club has moved out of administration.

"It is only a reasonable start if you get the results," said Levein.

"It depends where you go but if you don’t get at least a point away from home in the first game, I regard it as a negative thing. I wouldn’t be too disappointed with a point tomorrow, especially considering the lack of height in the team.

"It will be a tough fixture for us. Dundee have a new striking partnership of Sutton and Lovell and they’ll have Bobby Mann organising things at the back.

"Iain Anderson is back at Dens so there have been a few changes. But there are still quite a few players from last season who we know all about."

Despite his injury concerns, Levein will ignore the temptation to start Michael Stewart in midfield, the loan star having to settle for a place on the bench.

Taken from the Scotsman