BURCH IS READY TO TURN HEARTBREAKER

MARK BURCHILL is ready to turn coupon buster and claim the scalp of unbeaten SPL leaders Hearts today.

He'd love to put one over on the club he almost joined in the summer prior to Vladimir Romanov and George Burley's Tynecastle revolution.

The Dunfermline striker will return to the side after being floored by a bug that resulted in him missing last week's defeat to Falkirk.

He said: "Everybody's saying this is a top-v-bottom clash and Hearts are certainties to win.

"How do you stop Hearts just now? They are playing very well but somebody has to beat them and why can't it be Dunfermline?

"Everyone wants to be the first team to beat Hearts this season and there are going to be big headlines written when it happens.

"They will be high on confidence and our confidence is pretty low at the minute but we have to make our own luck in football.

"Dunfermline are in an unfortunate position and we just need a bit of stability. Beating the league leaders can make it all turn round for us."

Burchill rejected the chance of a 12-month deal with the Jambos to sign for the Pars on a two-year contract but insists he made the right decision. He said: "I don't have any regrets not joining Hearts. I was out of contract at the time when they offered me a deal for a year but it was not right for me.

"There was genuine uncertainty then and the club did not have a manager. I might have signed and could have been demoted to the youthteambynow"That is why I opted to sign for Dunfermline for two seasons. I could not turn it down as they offeredmestabilityand I amhappy. I wanttoget back playing regularly for Dunfermline and score goals."

Burchill loved his stint at Hearts last season and recalled his goal in a rare 2-0 win against Celtic at Parkhead as his top moment.

But he is aware that since Burley's arrival the playing squad at Gorgie has gone from strength to strength.

He said: "Hearts were a good side then but George Burley has added some brilliant players since and they are a strong team.

"We know what we are going to beup against but I loved my time there and my personal highlight was going to Parkhead and scoring.

"I had not been playing regularly for two seasons so Hearts helped me rediscover my appetite for football again."

Jim Leishman finds it refreshing to see Hearts mount a serious challenge to the Old Firm and revealed he had the ultimate respect for George Burley.

The Dunfermline boss said: "I admire what George is doing at Hearts.Tynecastle is the place to be as they've a real chance of winning the title.

"They've played both Rangers and Celtic, taken four points from six and are unbeaten. That is championship form.

"It is nice to see Hearts up there challenging the Old Firm and they have made it more interesting for everyone.

"Dunfermline have our own league and we have to go to Tynecastle believing we can get a result. We want to be the first team to beat Hearts. The sympathy is finished here as the players have to stand up and be counted


Taken from the Daily Record