McAllister wants to do Well and end hoodoo

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS have a score to settle at Fir Park tomorrow.

The Jambos head to Lanarkshire to face Motherwell having already lost three times to the Steelmen this season.

The most recent setback was the heartbreaking defeat at the end of the extra time in the CIS Cup semi-final showdown at Easter Road.

However, having also gone down home and away to Terry Butcher’s side during the current campaign, the men from Gorgie will no doubt travel west with revenge on their minds.

"We have played Motherwell three times this season and been unable to beat them so they have been a bit of a bogey team for us," said Jamie McAllister, who comes back into contention having missed Wednesday’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup triumph over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park through suspension.

"We will go there full of confidence and looking to take all three points as we are certainly due them one."

John Robertson’s men will embark on another testing away fixture bubbling with confidence after the impressive nature of the victory over Killie.

Recent arrivals from Lithuania, Salius Mikoliunas and Deividas Cesnauskis, were the two of stars of the show with their attacking forays, the latter crowning a superb debut performance with his side’s third goal in the emphatic 3-1 win which set up a quarter-final tie at home to Livingston.

McAllister looked on in admiration from the main stand as his new team-mates ripped their hosts apart, delighted at how quickly they have settled into their new surroundings.

While marvelling at their midfield mastery on either flank, the former Livingston star knows the pair’s form could spell bad news for him as he attempts to force his way back into the starting XI.

"I was very impressed with their performance and the two Lithuanians looked comfortable on the ball and gave us an edge going forward," he said.

"Both seem to be able to play on either side and did that to good effect at Kilmarnock.

"It’s Sod’s Law that I played in the good win over Kilmarnock on Saturday but was suspended for the replay and they did so well. I suppose they might be in pole position for the jerseys now but that just means more competition for places. That’s a good headache for the gaffer and can only benefit the team.

"Christophe Berra came in last weekend when Andy Webster was suspended and earlier on when Paul Hartley was missing against Aberdeen we still won so it has been a real team effort.

"The guys know there is a fight for the jersey now and one bad game could see them out of the side. The challenge is there now to win my place back and hopefully I’m involved tomorrow. I’ll just keep working away and see what happens."

The Rugby Park stroll followed hard on the heels of a similarly one-sided 3-0 league triumph at Tynecastle just four days earlier, the Jambos at last beginning to find the road to goal.

Their good form since the start of 2005 has seen third-placed Hibs’ lead slashed to just three points with the race for Europe well and truly under way.

"We have been doing really well of late and have been producing some really good performances," added McAllister.

"Rugby Park was another one. The good play we have been showing has at last produced the goals. The gaffer always said it would and the last couple of wins over Kilmarnock have been very impressive.

"Chances are being created and we’re now converting them which is great. We’re into a quarter-final of the Scottish Cup and just three points off Hibs so there is a lot to look forward to."

After a number of unsteady performances at left-back, McAllister found himself moved further up the park into midfield, with teenager Lee Wallace taking over the defensive duties.

The move appears to have suited both parties, with new kid on the block Wallace blasting his first goals for the club in just his third appearance on Wednesday night. McAllister explained: "I’ve been enjoying playing further forward in left midfield. The gaffer obviously prefers me there, but, to be honest, I’m happy to play anywhere.

"Lee has come in and done well in the last few games. It was quite a surprise but he has come in and done really well.

"He’s looked comfortable and done well and hopefully he can continue.

"He showed great composure to finish what was a great move for the first goal at Rugby Park and I’m delighted for him. Hopefully he can keep it going."

Taken from the Scotsman