McAllister has no time for a Greek tragedy

PAUL KIDDIE

WITH two excellent performances to his credit as Hearts opened up the season with back-to-back victories over Kilmarnock and Hibs, Jamie McAllister thought he had cemented his place in the plans of new boss George Burley. Eager to impress the recently-appointed Gorgie chief, the 27-year-old could not have hoped for a better start to the SPL campaign.

Enter Takis Fyssas. While not exactly a Greek tragedy for the former Livingston and Aberdeen star, the arrival of the Euro 2004 winner from Benfica courtesy of Vladimir Romanov's scouting network has meant bad news for McAllister.

The left-back was thrown into a debut appearance against Dundee United at Tannadice just days after the club completed a major coup with his capture and the experienced defender has slotted in seamlessly as the high-flying Jambos stormed to the top of the table after five successive victories.

His sudden reversal of fortunes prompted McAllister to seek a meeting with Burley, interest from Dundee United and Dunfermline forcing the Hearts ace to clarify his situation.

Far from being discouraged by what his manager had to say, the player was delighted to hear his boss stress that he had a significant role to play in the Romanov revolution.

"I had been playing well but then the boss signed [Takis] Fyssas and put him straight into the team," said McAllister.

"I've just got to keep my head down and work hard to get back into the side. I spoke to the gaffer before the transfer window closed and he said he likes me as a player and wants to keep me, which was encouraging to hear.

"I haven't sat on the bench since I was about 18 and I talked to him about wanting regular first-team football.

"He has assured me I have a big part to play here and I've done that over the last couple of weeks coming on as a substitute."

He added: "As long as the boys are doing well and I'm a part of it, I don't mind.

"There were a couple of clubs down south expressing an interest as well as Dundee United and Dunfermline but I have a year left on my contract at Tynecastle and am happy to be here.

"The club is going places and I want to be part of it. I'll just keep working hard and hope for a chance again."

Amid all the publicity surrounding the Jambos' Scottish international quartet of Craig Gordon, Steven Pressley, Andy Webster and Paul Hartley, the fact that McAllister is also the proud owner of a Scotland cap can sometimes be overlooked.

His big day came against Trinidad and Tobago in May last year as the Scots romped to a 4-1 victory at Easter Road. A Tartan Army foot soldier at Hampden Park on Saturday as Walter Smith's side came close to stunning Italy in the World Cup qualifier and an armchair fan on Wednesday night as the Scots roared to glory in Norway, the Tynecastle star yearns to be back in the international fold.

Smith saw him impress in the 4-0 hammering of Hibs on the second week of the season but since then it has been a frustrating period for the player.

"I was hoping to break back into the international set-up this season and thought I played well in the first two games in the SPL," he said.

"Walter Smith was at the Hibs game at Tynecastle and I was wanting to impress. I have been on the bench since that game and that makes it difficult. I'll never give up and my ambition is to add to the cap I have but first and foremost I'll have to get back into the team.

"I was at Hampden Park on Saturday to see the tremendous performance against Italy and they were different class again in Norway on Wednesday night.

"I'd love to be a part of all that again. First I have to get back in to the Hearts first team then strive for a return to the Scotland squad. The focus tends to be on the guys who are in the side on a regular basis but I have one cap and definitely want to add to that."

Burley, pictured below, assessed the fitness of his international stars when they reported for duty at their Riccarton training base today. Providing Fyssas came through his own qualifier against Kazakhstan unscathed, McAllister will prime himself for his familiar place on the bench on Sunday when the Jambos head to Almondvale to take on his former club Livingston.

The Lions may be propping up the table at the moment as Paul Lambert struggles to find his feet as a manager in the top flight but McAllister insists the rampant Jambos will give their hosts every respect in a game being televised by Setanta.

"They'll be looking to get off the foot of the table so we know it is not going to be easy," he said.

"I had a good year at Livingston and while they offered me a deal I got a better contract at Hearts. I still look for their results and still know a few of the boys there. I don't like to see them struggling but I'm a Hearts player and want us to get the three points on Sunday.

"It may be top against bottom but we're not taking anything for granted. We know how football can be and we will be treating this game like every other one.

"We'll have to continue in the same manner as we have been doing and can't afford to get complacent.

"Standards have been set in the early part of the campaign and we must maintain them."

Their 100 per cent record will see Burley's men march into Almondvale confident of stretching that impressive unbeaten run. "As we have strung the wins together, so the expectancy levels have risen," said McAllister. "It's hard to knock confidence and we have picked up a lot by winning our first five matches."



Taken from the Scotsman