The simple life suits me - Brellier

BARRY ANDERSON

JULIEN BRELLIER flicks the flowing French locks away from his eyes in a breezy, unperturbed kind of way. He has just been questioned on the recent newspaper allegations that he was the subject of tension between his manager at Hearts, George Burley, and the club's major shareholder, Vladimir Romanov.

The amiable midfielder, were he speaking in his native tongue, might as well have replied "Je ne pourrais pas donner un singe's". Or, in our parlance, "I couldn't give a monkey's," because Brellier is utterly untroubled by the insinuation that Romanov sees little merit in his inclusion in Burley's team. "I don't know about that story. For me it is no problem because I just continue to play football," he said.

French diplomats currently embroiled in the Rainbow Warrior bombing dispute could learn much from Brellier despite the player still having to perfect his English.

Having already appeared for Montpellier, Inter Milan, Venezia and Salernitana in his career despite his relative youthfulness at 23, the next question perhaps begging to be asked of such an aesthetic being is what is he doing in Scotland? Helping Hearts attempt to revolutionise football in this country would appear to be the definitive answer.

For most with a passion for the game, pulling on the black and blue stripes of the Nerazzurri and strutting it on the San Siro turf would be as good a life could get. Brellier is an altogether different creature, however, and his relocation to Edinburgh has much to do with the serenity of life in Scotland's Capital.

Since a debut which was as discerning as any that a new Hearts player could desire - the 4-0 annihilation of Hibs - Brellier has continued to conduct his midfield business for Hearts with quiet assurance. Nothing too flash, keep it simple. It's a philosophy which elucidates his entire life.

"Milan is too busy and I don't like it," he admits of his time in Italy. "There are too many people and everyone is always rushing around. It is good for football because both AC and Inter are such big clubs, but I didn't really like living there.

"I have a normal life with my wife and daughter and we try to live quietly. That was why we did not like Milan because you could not do that there. When we go out we go to see different parts of Edinburgh. It is such a nice city.

"I am enjoying life in Scotland and I am happy here. Things have gone very well so far. This is a very good team with some brilliant players, and we are playing very well just now."

If any team can bring this runaway Jambos juggernaut to a shuddering halt, it would appear on last season's evidence to be tomorrow's visitors to Tynecastle. Motherwell faced up to Hearts under the guidance of both Craig Levein and John Robertson five times last year, in four league meetings and a CIS Cup semi-final, and emerged with a grandiose record of four victories and a draw.

Even more galling for supporters will have been the lack of even a singular goal for their side throughout the four league encounters as Gordon Marshall was only required to stoop to retrieve the ball from his net in his side's 3-2 semi-final victory at Easter Road in February.

So it seems there is a score to settle. Brellier, upon being made aware of the 2004/05 statistics, relayed a surprised response and will be aware that a wrong must be put right tomorrow afternoon. He cites the maintenance of ongoing confidence as central to Hearts remaining at the SPL's summit, and is even willing to glance briefly beyond the club's imminent fixtures.

"I hope we can win again tomorrow," enthuses Brellier. "We have already got four victories in the league and we must keep going to try and make it five. It is very good for the confidence to win five games in a row.

"We want the points for the club, the fans want the points. It is important for everyone connected with Hearts. But also for me. I came here to win something this year. I would like the league, but if not then the Scottish Cup or something else. I just want to win a trophy. I have not won anything in my career so far.

"The manager is very ambitious and so am I, and we discussed this before I signed for Hearts. We have a good team here and everybody is upbeat about what we can do."

Now, anyone who has played in a hotbed like the San Siro could easily compose their own newspaper article, if not an entire book, about the atmosphere at football matches. Flares, firecrackers, hostile supporters - Italians have a penchant for intimidation. But again, Brellier has been instantly transfixed by those who occupy the stands in Gorgie.

"Tynecastle has a very special atmosphere because the fans are right beside you and they are passionate," he continues. "I like that. The supporters are a very important part of this club and I like the attitude of the fans in Scotland and the club in general.

"I knew of Hearts before I came here because I remember Gilles Rousset and Stephane Adam playing for them.

"I don't know those players personally but I remember reading about their time at Hearts in the newspapers. I have also seen Hearts involved in Europe regularly in the past few years.

"The facilities at the training ground are very nice, amongst the best in Scotland I am told, and the stadium is also very beautiful. I think I can have a positive time during my two-year contract here."

Milan wasn't for him, Romanov was alleged to be against him, but irrespective Brellier's new surroundings are very much to his liking as he looks around Edinburgh and peers down on the rest of the SPL.

Taken from the Scotsman