Neilson ready for challenge as Burley adds to his squad

EWAN MURRAY
AT THE KC STADIUM

Hull City 0
Hearts 1 Jankauskas (23)

ROBBIE Neilson has every right to be concerned. Having not trained fully for more than a week due to a back injury, the 25-year-old has seen Sebastien Schemmel arrive at Hearts on trial, and put in two strong performances in Neilson's right-back role.

But in-keeping with what appears to be a new-found optimism at Tynecastle, Neilson shows no sign of worry or frustration. Having replaced the Frenchman for the last 19 minutes of the win, Neilson said: "There are a lot of changes going on just now, but they are all changes for the good. We're getting a decent squad together, after coming back for pre-season training and finding there were only six or seven first-team players left [from last season].

"The way that the chairman and chief executive were speaking over the last few months showed the calibre of player they were looking to bring in, and we haven't been disappointed.

"I just need to get on with things, and hopefully prove to the manager that I deserve a game."

Hearts manager George Burley saw Schemmel's fellow trialist, Lithuanian striker Edgaras Jankauskas, also impress and the 30-year-old former Porto man scored the game's only goal midway through the first half, knocking in strike partner Calum Elliot's driven ball from close-range.

Burley has confirmed that he hopes to make Jankauskas his first permanent signing at Tynecastle early this week, after the loan deal which brought Rudolf Skacel from Marseille. Skacel missed Saturday's match after his hamstring tightened during the warm-up.

Fellow Czechs Roman Bednar and Michal Pospisil, also missed the match with fitness concerns, but Burley said he is close to sealing a deal for both players.

Hearts were rarely troubled during this victory, with Hull's former England forward Nick Barmby's role reduced to that of a spectator during his 45 minutes on the field. In-keeping with modern pre-season trends, home manager Peter Taylor changed all 11 players during the match, but made eight of these at half time which didn't disrupt the flow of play. Former Hibs defender Roland Edge and ex-Motherwell man Stuart Elliot each played a half. Hull won their second promotion in a row last season, and will next season play in the Coca Cola Championship.

In a day of trialists and different nationalities, it was pleasing to see a Scottish teenager steal the show during his hour on the field. Lee Wallace, who turns 18 this week, put in an eye-catching performance, staking his claim as Burley's first choice left back for the season's opener at Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Burley said he was delighted with his team's work ethic, having gone through their pre-season schedule undefeated.

After the match, Neilson, his team-mates and manager saluted the 1,500 travelling support who had sung their way through the match. With off-field matters at Tynecastle as stable as they have been for some time, and Burley making moves to strengthen the squad, it appears the fans share the optimism which emanates from the dressing room.

Neilson added: "The boys who were here last season can already see the improvements in our squad, so hopefully we can push up the league now. It was a disappointing time last term, so our aim is to do better.

"We have a tough two opening games in Kilmarnock and Hibs, but we have done well at Rugby Park recently, we always take a good support down there, and the derby game should take care of itself.

"With all these nationalities, I think Kofi Annan may well be our next signing," joked the defender, although for the time being, peacekeepers appear unnecessary at Tynecastle.

Attendance: 8,828

Hearts: Gordon, Schemmel (Neilson 71), McAllister, Pressley, Webster, MacFarlane (Berra 73), Mikoliunas, Hartley, Jankauskas (Simmons 60), Elliot (Thorarinsson 84), Wallace (Cesnauskis 60).

Taken from the Scotsman