Miller feels certain Hearts players can withstand pressure

LEE MILLER knows from personal experience that Hearts will be able to stay focused when they face Dundee United today, writes Ian Roache.

Tynecastle has been the scene of some of the most dramatic off-field shenanigans recently, with owner Vladimir Romanov wielding the axe.

The sacking of manager George Burley was followed earlier this week by the shock departures of chairman George Foulkes and chief executive Phil Anderton.

It didn’t help that the loss to Hibs in the Edinburgh derby followed by the Tangerines’ defeat by Celtic on Sunday saw them topple off the top of the table to be replaced by the Hoops.

The talk is that the bubble that saw Hearts being talked about as credible championship contenders has well and truly burst.

Miller, though, disagrees and argues that if there is a squad of players in Scotland able to take a crisis in their stride then it is the Jam Tarts.

He should know because during his six-month loan spell last season there was an on-going power struggle involving Romanov and the then chief executive Chris Robinson, while the very future of Tynecastle remained in doubt as a move to Murrayfield was considered.

“I am sure that what has gone on will not affect the Hearts guys because they are professional enough and experienced enough to cope,” said Miller.

“When I was at Tynecastle there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the club and that ultimately played some part in my deciding to leave and join United instead.

“I didn’t feel that I could pledge my long-term future to a team that did not have a manager (John Robertson had just been sacked).

“But during games I managed to block out all the off-field stuff and the Hearts players will be able to do the same,” added Miller, who revealed he saw little of Romanov during his time in Gorgie.

“You can put the blinkers on, concentrate on your football and be strong on the park.

“People are saying that the bubble has burst but Hearts will be out to prove to everybody that is not the case.

“They were at the top of the league on merit and will be looking to go on another unbeaten run.

Miller has not made the impact he would have wished this term.

He has not started a game for United since the defeat at Dunfermline on September 24 and was left out of the Scotland squad for the forthcoming friendly against the United States when it was announced on Thursday.

But he remains the club’s top scorer with four goals and put himself about when coming on as a substitute in the 4-2 defeat from Celtic.

So the striker could have a role to play against his former team this afternoon.

“I know I have not been doing as well as I could but it was still nice to get on against Celtic, hold the ball up and win my fair share of headers,” he said.

With the spotlight shining on the home side going into the game, that has suited United boss Gordon Chisholm just fine.

“The focus this week has been completely on Hearts, so that has given us space to get our heads down and work hard,” he said. “As a group we have been quite happy about that.

“To be honest, I think it would be on them anyway because they are second in the league. They also suffered their first league defeat in the derby last week and everyone is keen to see how they respond.

“In my opinion they have too many experienced pros—boys like Paul Hartley and Steven Pressley—in their dressing-room to let one defeat and the off-field issues take their toll.”

Chisholm was pleased with some aspects of his team’s performance against Celtic but is likely to recall David Fernandez and David McCracken, who were both sidelined by injury, to the side.

“Obviously having Fernandez back is a massive boost and McCracken has been one of our most consistent players over the last month or two, especially since I asked him to play as the spare man at the back,” said the Tannadice manager.

“His pace and strength in the air makes him very effective in there and we missed him against Celtic.”

United have been praised for their attempts to play open football and have featured in some of the season’s most memorable SPL games.

However, their points haul does not reflect that and Chisholm knows that is all that counts.

“I’m fed up speaking to other people and being told we have played well and are a good team to watch,” he added.

“I would rather we were more solid and had more points on the board.

“We have to make sure we cut out the silly errors as we have been conceding daft goals.

“If we do that then we will give ourselves a chance.

“The last thing we want to do is give them a lift by making a mistake.”

Meanwhile, Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley has been passed fit.

He had been struggling with a hamstring injury but will be in the team today.

Striker Edgaras Jankauskas is suspended following his dismissal in the defeat at Hibs.

Forward Roman Bednar misses out, too, but he is targeting a return to action against Aberdeen in a fortnight after knee surgery.

Taken from the Courier