Signings will take time to settle, admits Hearts boss

PAUL KIDDIE

GEORGE Burley has warned Hearts fans not to expect too much, too soon from new signings Ibrahim Tall and Samuel Camazzola after watching yesterday's 0-0 Reserve League draw with Livingston at Almondvale.

The pair were brought to the club by majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov and were given their first chance to show what they can do in yesterday's meeting in West Lothian.

However Senegalese internationalist Tall, signed as competition for regular right-back Robbie Neilson, failed to reappear for the second half after complaining of a groin problem.

His Brazilian team-mate lasted the 90 minutes having also been given the opportunity to impress their manager and his assistant Simon Hunt but the jury remains out as to their ability to force their way into the league leaders' first team in the near future.

"It is clear they are going to take time to settle," said Burley, "and it was unfortunate Ibrahim had to go off with a sore groin.

"They are not used to the demands of the Scottish game and the only way they will get more familiar with it is in these types of reserve matches."

Tall actually came close to putting the visitors in front after 17 minutes when he headed a corner from Saulius Mikoliunas against Ludovic Roy's left-hand post.

However, the Jambos had goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald to thank for still being on level terms at the break, the youngster twice saving well from Robert Snodgrass in the opening period.

Jason Thomson replaced Tall at half-time and the Gorgie side were unfortunate not to take the lead six minutes into the second half when Roy produced an excellent double save to deny Jamie Mole.

The same player had another good chance in the 63rd minute but blazed over the top after a through ball from John Neill sent him in behind the Lions rearguard.

Hearts' central defensive pairing of Christophe Berra and Grant Tierney found the aerial threat of Livingston difficult to deal with at times although it was the latter who could have snatched the points for the Jambos nine minutes from time.

A corner from Sean Mackle fell invitingly for the 19-year-old but he couldn't direct his volley on target.

"Some of the kids got a good run out as did Saulius Mikoliunas and that's what these reserves matches are all about," said Burley.

Livingston: Roy, Mitchell, Adam, Walker, Strong (Adamson 46), Miller, Scott, Tesevic (Hamilton, 88), Pereira, Snodgrass, McPake (Davidson 46). Subs not used: McGuigan, McLaren.

Hearts: MacDonald, Tall (Thomson 46), Berra, Tierney, Wallace, Mikoliunas, Neill, Camazzola, Driver (Mackle 30), Mole, Elliot. Subs not used: Barjaktarevic, J. Armstrong, Slater.

A PUBLIC sale of tickets for Saturday's league clash with Inverness Caley Thistle began at Tynecastle this morning with just under 900 available on a first come, first-served basis.

Taken from the Scotsman