Stamp: I can end my Euro misery

PAUL KIDDIE

PHIL STAMP is desperate to end his Euro jinx tonight to help Hearts brush aside Basel in the UEFA Cup.

The powerful midfielder has yet to play for the Jambos in the group stages of the competition having been struck by a combination of illness and injury after September’s famous victory over Braga in Portugal saw the club take a seat at the top table with Europe’s elite.

Earmarked for a key role in the Group A opener against Feyenoord, the former Middlesbrough star was laid low by food poisoning just hours before kick-off in Rotterdam, the visitors suffering from some horrendous decisions by the officials as they went down 3-0.

With Hearts hoping to bounce back from that loss against Schalke at Murrayfield, the Englishman found himself once again left kicking his heels on the sidelines as a calf strain ruled him out of the tie which the Germans edged 1-0 at the home of Scottish rugby.

They were two cruel blows for the 28-year-old who had been anxious to play his part as the Gorgie outfit rubbed shoulders with the cream of Europe for the first time in the inaugural group stages of the competition.

Having shaken off a recurrence of his calf problem - he was injured in the CIS Cup quarter-final triumph over Dunfermline at East End Park - Stamp is hopeful of avoiding another role as a spectator this evening as Hearts go head to head with the Swiss league leaders in Basel.

With just a day’s training under his belt this week prior to the club’s arrival in Switzerland yesterday, the midfielder powerhouse may well find himself starting on the bench with boss John Robertson reluctant to use him unless fully fit.

However, Stamp is relishing just being back involved in the Euro fray and is ready to answer any call from his manager, who will take charge of his first European match in the Stadion St Jakob Park.

"It’s just been my luck but I haven’t played in the group stages yet so it would be fantastic to be involved tonight," he said.

"I was looking forward to playing against Feyenoord but was ill the night before the game in Holland and didn’t feel well at all. I stayed in bed all day and then went along to the stadium to watch the match.

"As for the Schalke game, I couldn’t play because of a calf strain which was another blow.

"It has been disappointing to have been out injured over the past couple of weeks but that’s the way it goes.

"I came back against Aberdeen after missing out against Schalke but then I felt it again in the CIS Cup tie at Dunfermline and I think it was all just as a result of not really training and then playing some games.

"But I trained on Tuesday and felt fine and while I’m not sure whether I will start or not, I’d hope to be on the bench at least.

"It is up to the manager and if he wants me to start then I’ll do my best and last as long as I can.

"However, we also have a big game coming up on Sunday against Rangers at Ibrox to think about as well."

With the Jambos still looking for their first points in Group A, the players know that tonight’s clash is a must-win encounter if they are to maintain aspirations of making it through to the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Normally a point away from home in Europe would be regarded as a good result however boss Robertson has stressed he will adopt an attacking formation in a bid to kick-start Hearts’ qualification bid.

And that could well work in the team’s favour, insisted Stamp.

"We haven’t had the best of starts with no points from our opening two matches in the group but if we can win tonight we have Ferencvaros at Murrayfield in our final game," he said.

"I don’t think a point will be enough against Basel so we will be going for it, that’s for sure.

"There is no point in trying to sneak a 1-0 victory so we will be approaching the 90 minutes with a positive attitude."

Basel boss Christian Gross saw his side outplay Schalke in their opening group match but had to settle for a point following a 1-1 draw in Germany.

Their recent domestic results, though, have given Hearts encouragement, the champions having been dumped out of the Swiss Cup by unheralded FC Thun at the weekend. That setback followed a shock defeat by bottom dogs Schaffhausen and Stamp is hoping to pile on the agony for Gross this evening.

"Basel were live on Eurosport when they played Schalke and they looked a quality side and probably deserved to win the match," he said.

"But they have not done so well recently and we are going into the game confident we can bring back a good result."

With Paul Hartley and Patrick Kisnorbo suspended, Robertson, who also has a concern over ailing skipper Steven Pressley, will be forced into altering his midfield.

It is a factor which has become something of a recurring theme this season for Hearts and Stamp can’t wait to see the first-choice starting XI get a run of games together.

"The problem this season is that I don’t think we have been able to field our strongest side fully fit," said Stamp.

"There has always been one thing or another and now Elvis is ill again and we have the two lads who have played superbly for us out suspended. Once we get everyone out on the park fully fit I’m sure we will go on a bit of a run. Hopefully that can start this evening."

Robertson is well aware how keen Stamp is to be involved from the start but said: "Of course he wants to play but he will have to be 100 per cent.

"He trained earlier this week and felt fine and it’s good to have him back in contention for tonight’s game."

Taken from the Scotsman