Mr Utility is doing the right thing for Burley

BARRY ANDERSON

NOT only is Jamie McAllister a more than competent left full-back, but due to the foresight and conviction of George Burley he is conducting the transformation, and a pretty seamless one at that, of himself into something of a tricky right winger.

Hard to believe, but true nonetheless. After an experiment first piloted when he replaced the ineffectual Saulius Mikoliunas at half-time against Aberdeen at Tynecastle last month, McAllister assumed position on the right of Burley's four-man midfield from the start against Livingston on Sunday.

Mikoliunas has been forced to abdicate his berth, and the Lithuanian has been informed of Burley's request for more application before he might have it returned to him.

In the intervening period, it appears that a player far more renowned, if not comfortable, on the other flank will be his able deputy. McAllister exists as one of those rare players who predominantly favours a particular foot, in his case the left, but who can also utilise the other to serious effect for the benefit of his team, a fact obviously recognised by Burley when he informed the player at training last week that the right-sided midfield role would be his against Livingston.

"I have played centre midfield a few times and I really like it because you're always involved and on the ball," enthused McAllister. "But it was certainly different at the weekend being on completely the other side of the park.

"I enjoyed playing there on Sunday. I have to say I wasn't quite out on the wing, it was more of an inside-right role but it was great being out there. The gaffer wanted us to play narrow in midfield, all four of us, and I was the playmaker of course."

That last comment brought out a cheesy grin on McAllister's face, a declaration of the buoyancy which travelled with him yesterday from Hearts' training base at Riccarton to the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood, where the 27-year-old was speaking at the launch of a new Show Racism The Red Card video.

The 4-1 defeat of Livingston was merely the latest in a mini catalogue of trouncings being compiled by Hearts this season, Paul Lambert's side joining others like Hibs and Dundee United on the victims list.

Such an emphatic result for any side away from home would normally mean little requirement for the manager to indulge him-self in any team tinkering for the following fixture, which for Hearts is Inverness, minus Dennis Wyness, at the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday.

"It was a great day for me to help the boys win 4-1, and I thought we played some good football through the midfield into the bargain," added McAllister with an admission that he knows not whether he will be motioned to continue his right-sided beat in the Highlands.

"He [Burley] hasn't really spoken about it to me. He said to me one day last week that I'd be in the side for Sunday and just to continue doing what I've been doing in training because there was no need for a different approach.

"He had been saying to me to work hard enough and I would get back in the team and I've done that and I thought I did well on Sunday. I was a wee but surprised to be put on the right, but I'm willing to play anywhere for the team. The boys are giving me a bit of stick right enough, saying I'm Mr Utility and things like that, but I'm more than happy to play where I'm told to.

"I'll play in goals, left wing, right wing. Just as long as I'm in the starting 11 and able to help the boys."

Suffice to say the gloves of Craig Gordon are not under any threat just yet from Mr Utility, although any complacency on the part of the Scotland goalkeeper will likely see the endlessly-enthusiastic McAllister chomping at the bit for a shot between the sticks.

For the moment, though, the former Queen of the South, Aberdeen and Livingston player is more than content in an outfield role. He continued: "We are top of the league just now and we want to stay there as long as possible.

"With the strength in depth we have and the quality of players that the manager has brought in, then once you get in the team you are just desperate to stay there."

McAllister, right, was as active at Musselburgh racecourse on Monday as he had been on the pitch the previous day in West Lothian, recording four winners from his seven stakes placed. Seems this winning habit Hearts have acquired under Burley knows no bounds.

"Me and Paul Hartley had four winners out of seven, so a good day was had by all and we got a top tip which came through at the end from the manager and Simon Hunt. They had been told by an 'anonymous source' of a dead cert so I backed it at 9-1.

"After collecting my winnings we went for a bite to eat, which was an ideal opportunity for getting the foreign boys and the Scottish lads and all the coaches together all at once. It helps with preparation as well. Socialising together like that is a big part of team spirit. You play together on the park and stick together off the park in your social lives. It helps team bonding and the foreign boys can only benefit from getting to know us, and us getting to know them as well."

So the team that gambles together, wins together. No drinking allowed, and in the thoughtfulness of cold sobriety no-one would bet against McAllister stepping out against Inverness this weekend to perform with distinction his rather uncustomary right-midfield role once again.

Taken from the Scotsman