Pospisil back in squad but likely to be left on bench

MICHAL Pospisil has been restored to the Hearts squad for today's SPL match against Livingston, but may only start the game on the bench.

Although the Czech striker is back in favour with Graham Rix after being dropped last week, Roman Bednar and Calum Elliot are more likely to begin the home fixture up front.

"I left Michal out last week," Rix said yesterday. "Big things have been made of it and wrongly so. He's reacted brilliantly, really positively, and I'm delighted for him.

"Me and Michal are fine, and he's in the squad tomorrow. As regards team selection, I'm not saying a word."

While Rix claimed that Pospisil's omission from the draw at Fir Park was for footballing reasons, there is little doubt that the forward's displeasure at being substituted at half-time against Aberdeen six days earlier provoked a stern reaction from the first-team coach. Any disputing of his decisions just a few weeks into his tenure at Tynecastle was sure to be seen as a challenge to Rix's authority, and as such was certain to be quickly quashed.

The striker's clash with the former England midfielder may have been the only active disagreement between playing staff and coach since the latter took charge a month ago, but in the two games played so far under Rix some players have exhibited a degree of uncertainty about the game plan which amounts to tacit resistance.

To an extent this is always the case when a new manager takes over, but because of the success of his Tynecastle predecessor, Rix may have found it more difficult than usual to persuade the first-team squad to do things his way.

George Burley favoured a direct style based on getting the ball forward on the ground quickly, and Hearts were undefeated in the league with it. Rix, by contrast, thinks that Scottish football is too frantic, and has tried to introduce a calmer, more measured approach to the team.

Many Scots would concur with the Englishman's analysis, but the trouble is Hearts have been at their best this season precisely when they have played at a high tempo from the kick-off. They showed this in their last home match, for example, scoring in four minutes against a Dundee United side who were shellshocked by the rapidity and precision of the onslaught. It was the same away to Livingston, who were blitzed by three goals in just over half an hour at Almondvale.

In their first two games under Rix, by contrast, Hearts have begun sluggishly. The coach said that he had discussed the matter with the squad this week, but would not say what the players' reaction had been.

A compromise of sorts may be seen this afternoon against the SPL's bottom club.

"The supporters got great value in the last home game and I want a rip-roaring atmosphere tomorrow," Rix added - words which do not suggest that he is about to settle for a quiet 1-0 win.

Taken from the Scotsman