Rix denies rift

HEARTS boss Graham Rix today insisted there has been no bust-up with striker Michal Pospisil.

The Czech front man was left out of the weekend draw with Motherwell prompting speculation there had been a fall-out between the pair and that the forward was considering quitting the club in January. "I have read the reports about what people are saying about Michal and they are wrong," said Rix.

The player was hauled off at half-time after a poor opening 45 minutes in Rix's first game in charge against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Despite his attacking options being restricted due to injuries to Edgar Jankauskas and Roman Bednar, Rix left Pospisil watching from the stand at Fir Park as the Jambos struggled to take a point from the game.

The strike star has since had a clear-the-air meeting with his manager and has pledged to fight for his place in the team.

Rix fielded him in the reserve clash against Falkirk on Tuesday and was delighted with his repsonse, the former Czech Republic Under-21 star grabbing a goal in the 5-0 thrashing of the Bairns.

"It was my decision to leave him out on Saturday and to a certain extent it's up to Michal now," said Rix.

"If he's going to go away and sulk, it's up to him. But if he's going to be positive and roll his sleeves up then he has to show me he wants to play. He scored in the reserves during the week and that was pleasing."

Rix, who is preparing for his first home game since taking over when Livingston visit Tynecastle on Saturday, added: "The situation is between me and him and people can make of it what they will.

"I'm the manager and make these decisions. There is no rift whatsoever between me and Michal and I'm not going to make a big deal about this."

Jankauskas's hamstring problem is still causing concern, with the Lithuanian internationalist remaining a doubt for the clash with the Lions.

"Edgar is still struggling and is a doubt for Saturday," said the Hearts boss.

"We can't rush these things and we'll know what kind of chance he has in the next day or so."

Rix has been frustrated by his side's lacklustre opening to his first two games at the helm and has spent this week working on finding a solution to the slow starts. We have had a couple good sessions this week and the boys have been looking sharp," he said. "I have had a chat with a few of the guys about how we have started games and there's a feeling we have been too one-paced.

"Maybe a bit of sharpness has been lacking and that's what we've been working on, passing and moving and also their attitude with the ball."

Former Hearts star Ramon Pereira will not face his old club on Saturday having quit the Lions to return home to Spain.

Taken from the Scotsman