Moldova clash gives Hartley an ideal escape

HEARTS midfielder Paul Hartley has turned his thoughts away from the Tynecastle turmoil to focus on igniting Scotland's World Cup dream.

The 28-year-old is entering the final year of his contract in Gorgie and with the club yet to unveil a successor to John Robertson, the player who was pursued unsuccessfully by Celtic in January is nowhere nearer resolving his long-term future.

Martin O'Neill left the Glasgow giants in the wake of his side's Tennent's Scottish Cup triumph over Dundee United last weekend to attend to the needs of his ailing wife and it remains to be seen whether the in-form Jambo was on the list of potential targets discussed by the Irishman and the incoming Parkhead gaffer Gordon Strachan.

Five months ago Hearts insisted any interested party would have to dig deep - to the tune of £1million - to prise their midfield talisman from their grasp.

That was bad news for lifelong Hoops fan Hartley, who was left frustrated when his dream move to the east end of Glasgow failed to materialise despite slapping in a transfer request.

During a tumultuous year at Tynecastle, the club was in the headlines more often than not for things happening off the field of play. From drawn-out takeovers, to managerial changes, Hearts were invariably featured on the front pages as well as the back.

It was with a sense of relief, therefore, that Tynecastle's Scotland contingent of Hartley, Craig Gordon, Steven Pressley and Andy Webster - Lee Miller's loan deal from Bristol City expired at the end of the season - sought some solace in the Scots' luxury training base on the banks of Loch Lomond this week.

"Coming away with Scotland provides a bit of relief from what has been happening at the club over the last couple of months," said the former Hibs and St Johnstone playmaker.

"It allows us to switch off and it's nice to get away and enjoy the experience of being away with the international squad.

"I'm entering the last year of my contract at Tynecastle and really don't know what the future holds.

"I don't know how much Hearts want to keep me as I haven't spoken to anyone at the club so there's not a lot really that I can say.

"I'll have a wee break after the internationals and then come back to the club for pre-season and hopefully by that time we will have a new manager in place and new players as that is what we need." Hartley was handed a shock starting debut in the cauldron of the San Siro in March as Walter Smith kicked off his reign as Scotland manager with a 2-0 defeat from the Italians in Milan.

Despite the scoreline, the visitors produced an encouraging performance against the Group Five favourites, the Hearts star adapting well to the rarified atmosphere of international football.

Hartley's goal threat from the middle of the park will be a vital weapon as Smith's side now look to record their first win of the qualifying campaign against Moldova at Hampden Park tomorrow before they complete a crucial double-header in Belarus on Wednesday.

The Jambos ace will fulfil a boyhood dream when he marches out for his first appearance for his country at the National Stadium, although the edge will no doubt be taken off the occasion if the Scots fail to get the result they require.

Six points from the next two matches has to be the target for Smith and his troops if Germany 2006 is to remain on the national team's radar - and Hartley is ready for the challenge. "If I am selected it would be great," he said. "To make my debut for my country against Italy in the San Siro was fantastic and to be involved again at Hampden would be really good. There will be a big crowd at the game and hopefully we can get a good result in what is the boss's first game at Hampden.

"We will be going all out for the victory we need.

"You dream about walking out at Hampden Park as a youngster but the older you get and it doesn't happen then there are fears it could maybe pass you by. I am 28 now but I have finally arrived and hopefully I'll be involved at some stage tomorrow."

He added: "It was a great boost for me to play in Walter Smith's first game in charge in Milan. I never played under Berti Vogts but when Walter came in I was included in his first squad which was fantastic.

"I never expected to start in the San Siro but it was a fantastic experience and a huge boost for me personally.

"All I can do is keep playing well and if I can do that then hopefully I will be able to cement my place in the squad for the next couple of years.

"Steven Pressley was another late developer who has been involved for the last four years or so and my aim has to be to maintain my form and involvement with the squad."

Hartley has been a revelation for Hearts since being handed a central midfield role by former boss Craig Levein and he's confident the exposure to international football will see his game go up a further notch or two.

"I noticed the step up from club level even just training with Scotland," he added.

"It's a much faster tempo and the calibre of players is excellent as well. Playing for Hearts in the UEFA Cup was great but the San Siro was up another level again. Once you have a taste of it you want more and to come up against some of the top players in Europe was fantastic.

"Hopefully there will be more such opportunities." More than 40,000 fans are expected to roar on the Scots tomorrow afternoon and Hartley insisted the Tartan Army's backing will be critical against opponents who could prove tough to break down. He said: "The backing of the supporters will be vital. Everybody is expecting us to go out and beat Moldova so it will be important to have the fans on our side and we'll be looking for them to push us on and help us get the right result."

Taken from the Scotsman