Boss: Strikers yet to hit form

PAUL KIDDIE

FREE-SCORING Hearts have yet to hit top form in front of goal, boss George Burley warned his SPL rivals today.

The high-flying Jambos have soared to the top of the league after winning their opening six matches, the Gorgie outfit rattling in 19 goals in the process, three more than Celtic and Kilmarnock.

While delighted with the start his side has made, Burley has insisted his strikeforce is yet to find its range with Edgaras Jankauskas, Roman Bednar and Michal Pospisil all short of full match fitness.

"I don't think any of our three main strikers are fully fit yet," he said. "And that can only be good for the future."

Lithuanian internationalist Jankauskas has bagged just one goal - against Motherwell - in five league outings this season and

should be fit for tomorrow's clash against Inverness Caley Thistle after shaking off a hamstring injury.

"He trained yesterday for the first time this week so hopefully he'll be okay," said Burley.

"Roman is training a bit more and Michal has hardly played really so there is more to come from them." The Tynecastle trio have contributed just four league goals between them so far this season but, with midfielders Rudi Skacel and Paul Hartley weighing in with ten, the pressure has been taken off the attackers.

"The midfielders scoring goals certainly helps but it's not about one person here it's about the team as a unit and how we work together," said Burley, whose squad headed north today for an overnight stay in Inverness ahead of what promises to be one of the Jambos' toughest games of the campaign so far.

"Inverness have started the season well," said Burley. "They were well on top against Motherwell last week when they gave two goals away which changed the result and they were the better team against Rangers when they lost 1-0.

"Our run is sure to stop at some point but we are determined to try keep things going for as long as possible."

In addition to Pospisil, Neil MacFarlane will also miss the trip north while Ibrahim Tall has not trained this week since injuring his groin in the reserve game against Livingston on Tuesday.

Taken from the Scotsman