Hearts' house in order after rebuilding

JIM BLACK
AT RUGBY PARK

Kilmarnock 2 Naismith (12), Greer (74)
Hearts 4 Skacel (12), Bednar (46), Mikoliunas (61), Hartley (pen 88)

Referee: A Freeland. Attendance: 7,487

GEORGE Burley has much to feel pleased about as he prepares for his first Edinburgh derby, not least the rapid emergence of his recent signings, Rudolf Skacel, Roman Bednar and Edgaras Jankauskas.

While the result was the most pleasing aspect of Burley's first competitive game in charge, the manner of his team's success also delighted the new Hearts manager on an afternoon when the Tynecastle faithful almost matched their Rugby Park counterparts in the size of their support.

Officially, the travelling army of fans numbered 3,200. But one suspects that Hearts followers accounted for roughly half the 7,487 who witnessed a hard-fought encounter that was a pleasing advert for SPL football.

Burley noted the turn-out. He also observed that their loyalty had been rewarded with a performance that offers great hope for the future. "It was very much a team performance" said Burley. "If we had been carrying any passengers we would not have taken three points so I could not have asked for more from my players.

"I knew this game would be tough. I watched Kilmarnock against Southampton and was very impressed. They are a good side and they put us under pressure in the first half, when we had to weather the storm.

"But the players showed character and played some very good attacking football in the second half. The looks on their faces suggested that they enjoyed it and I thought it was a cracking game.

"I have been impressed with the work ethic of the whole squad. We have had to do a rebuilding programme and the players have responded."

Burley was also fulsome in his praise of his eastern European imports, pointing to the fact that none of the trio is yet quite fully fit. "There is a lot of optimism about the club" he said. "It was a big decision for me to come back to Scotland but I felt there was a lot of ambition and a desire to progress. But there is still a lot of work to be done."

Burley insists that Hearts will need to further strengthen the squad if they are to have a successful season and to that end he hopes to add three more players before the transfer window closes, explaining that a minimum of six new faces are required to compensate for the eight or so who have departed.

But Burley was also keen to stress that the mood of optimism currently being aired in the vicinity of Gorgie Road must also be tempered with reality. "Last season Hearts finished 42 points behind the Old Firm, and that was a massive gap," he pointed out.

"But if we can take the club back to third place and into Europe it will have been a great season. However, we know that will be very difficult because Hibs finished third on merit and they have a very good manager and virtually the same squad as last season, if not stronger.

"Next week's game will also be completely different, but we will be looking to win it. It's as simple as that."

Hearts achieved their success by dint of goals from Skacel, Bednar, Saulius Mikoliunas - the pick of the crop - and Paul Hartley, who sealed the victory from the penalty spot in the 88th minute.

Skacel's equaliser came less than 60 seconds after teenager Steven Naismith had put the home side ahead after 11 minutes, denying Kilmarnock the opportunity to enjoy their achievement and perhaps build on it.

Hearts moved into the driving seat just 51 seconds after the restart when Bednar nodded home and Mikoliunas' spectacular left-foot effort, which sailed into Combe's top right-hand corner, gave them breathing space.

Gordon Greer's powerful header to reduce Hearts' advantage to 3-2 gave Kilmarnock renewed hope with 16 minutes remaining but another Tynecastle old boy, Gary Locke, removed any lingering doubt about the outcome when he brought down Jankauskas.

Understandably, while Burley was able to wear a quiet smile of satisfaction, Kilmarnock counterpart Jim Jefferies found it difficult to keep a note of frustration out of his voice.

The former Hearts manager said: "I was very pleased with the attitude, effort and commitment of our players, but we switched off after we scored and were punished for letting our concentration slip. The physical presence of Hearts' two big men up front always caused us problems, but we gave away goals cheaply as a result of bad marking. We gifted them the win."

Steven Pressley, the Hearts captain, shares his manager's optimism. "There is a real optimism about the football club these days, and that was reflected in the size of the turn-out of Hearts fans," he said.

"It is all looking good and it is important that the club has brought in new players of real quality. We also have a harmonious dressing room and that is equally important. The performance was very encouraging and it is always important to start the season with a win and gather momentum immediately before a derby game."

Meanwhile, Hartley has indicated that he may be prepared to pledge his future to Hearts after revealing that he expects to have further discussions with chief executive Phil Anderton in the course of the next seven days.

Hartley confirmed: "The manager has indicated that he wants me to stay and that is encouraging. But my next contract will be the most important of my career and everything has to be right."

The midfielder was involved in an incident when he struck a spectator with a water bottle after throwing it in the direction of the crowd in an act of frustration at being the victim of verbal abuse. But Hartley repaired the damage when he presented the fan with his signed shirt, adding: "I apologised and shook hands with him, and there are no hard feelings."

Taken from the Scotsman