BURLEY NOT AFRAID OF CHANGES

Hearts manager George Burley is set to make changes for the derby visit of Hibernian - despite his side being so impressive in last week's 4-2 win over Kilmarnock

The Jambos boss had three of his five new signings, Czech Republic duo Rudi Skacel and Roman Bednar and Lithuanian Edgar Jankauskas, making their debuts at Rugby Park and helping the Gorgie side to a convincing victory in the opening day of Bank of Scotland Premier League.

But despite the encouraging start to his Tynecastle career, the former Derby and Ipswich coach could reshuffle his team for the visit of the Leithers.

He said: "I'm not one of those managers who will never change a winning team. It's horses for courses and if I feel it's right I'll change it.

"If I leave one or two players out this week or whatever then so be it, football is not a game where every player plays every single game, it's very much a squad game.

"And I'm not one who is frightened to change things if I feel it's necessary for the game."

Despite still experimenting with his first XI since he took over at Tynecastle last month, Burley insists he was not taken aback by the performance of his side at Rugby Park and is confident they will be ready for the tougher test of a local derby.

He said: "I wasn't surprised by the way they played because I thought we were on the right lines and we have quality players.

"I know there's long way to go but the fact that they are quality will help to get me where I want to go that bit faster, definitely.

"Some of those foreign players have played in huge derby games and other big games so I have no fears about them against Hibs.

"They showed against Kilmarnock that they've got quality and they have adapted very quickly into the British style of game.

"I said before the game last week that it was a few weeks early for as us far as fitness and the building of the squad was concerned but I said we would be focused for Kilmarnock, which we were, and it will be the same against Hibs."

Taken from sportinglife.com