Berra glad to be centre of attention

ORDERED to his feet by new Hearts boss Graham Rix during the players' pre-match meal, defender Christophe Berra felt rather awkward as his team-mates trained their focus on him in the hotel dining-room.

Sat in the company of the likes of skipper Steven Pressley and Andy Webster, the youngster rose with more than a hint of trepidation, wondering just what he had done to warrant such a scenario. Puzzled and fearing some form of reprimand from the newly-appointed head coach, the Tynecastle centre-half sheepishly hauled himself to attention.

Berra, though, needn't have worried.

He was about to be told he had won promotion to the Scotland Future squad for tonight's clash against Poland at Rugby Park.

"The gaffer told me the news during our pre-match meal before the league game against Motherwell recently," he said.

"He had named the team for the day and was going on to mention other things when he started to talk to me.

"He asked me to stand up in front of everyone at the lunch and I was wondering what I had done wrong. I thought I might have been about to get a telling off and it was quite embarrassing, to be honest.

"I don't like that sort of thing but it was quite pleasing at the same time.

"The guys all started clapping me which added to the embarrassment. It will be worth it, though, if I get a game tonight.

"I didn't make the bench for the Motherwell game but while that was disappointing, I was still happy as I knew I was in the Scotland Future squad."

The news was all the more surprising for the former Scotland Under-21 star given his lack of first-team involvement with Hearts this season.

He has started just one SPL game this term when he deputised for the suspended Pressley in the 1-0 home win over Kilmarnock in October, a game watched by Scotland boss Walter Smith.

Up against established international stars Pressley and Webster for a place in the high-flying Hearts team, Berra appreciates that top-team openings are likely to be limited.

"I'm disappointed when I don't play or when I'm on the bench but I have to be patient and wait for my opportunities," he said. "I've been doing well for the reserves and know I have to maintain that standard in training.

"We've got a solid defence which is picking itself just now and Elvis and Webby have a great partnership.

"It's a tough one for me as I want them to continue with the team doing so well but on the other hand I want a chance but don't want them to do badly."

The 20-year-old sees his big chance come not long after his last appearance in the famous dark blue of Scotland ended in bitter disappointment with an unfortunate dismissal.

The Hearts star was sent off as Scotland Under-21s lost 3-2 to Belarus in October despite surging into a two-goal lead at Broadwood. Berra was trying to act as peacemaker after Sergei Kornilenko clashed with Hibs' Steven Whittaker. He threw his arms around the Dnipro player but was then hurled to the ground and the referee responded by sending both players for an early bath, much to the Jambo's disbelief.

With Berra not eligible for the next campaign, former Under-21 boss Rainer Bonhof decided to leave the defender at home as the Scots brought the curtain down on their campaign in Slovenia.

He could have been forgiven for thinking it could have been some time before his next tour of duty so he intends to make the most of this evening's experience.

"It was quite a surprise as I wasn't expecting it," said Berra. "Hopefully I'll be involved tonight as there aren't that many defenders in the squad.

"It will be a bit different from playing for the Scotland Under-21s and I think Walter Smith just wants to have a look at some of us who are on the fringes of the first team. I haven't played that much in the first team this season so it was something of a bonus. I think Walter Smith was at the Kilmarnock game at Tynecastle which I played in and we won 1-0.

"He obviously liked what he saw and included me in the squad. It came right of the blue, though, and I didn't even know when the Future game was."

While tonight's clash will be a significant step up in class for the highly-rated stopper, who has come through the ranks at Tynecastle, he will at least feel relatively comfortable in his Ayrshire surroundings.

Berra was handed his first-team debut at Rugby Park by former Hearts boss Craig Levein and he'll be hoping the ground continues to hold fond memories for him after facing the Poles.

"Everyone at the club is delighted for me and they've told me just to go out and enjoy myself," he said.

"It will be a step up from the 21s where I have played a few times. The Poland team will feature a few guys close to their full team and will be a bit older but it will be a great challenge.

"Each game I play I learn new things and when you make mistakes it's important to learn from them as well.

"I made my debut in a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park and as luck would have it, I have played there quite a few times for Hearts."

There could also be a familiar face in the Scots rearguard with Tynecastle team-mate Robbie Neilson poised to feature after shaking off an ankle injury suffered towards the end of his side's 2-1 win over Livingston on Saturday. "Robbie's been playing really well and never lets the team down," said Berra.

"He deserves this chance and hopefully if he does well enough he'll get promoted to the senior team."

The squad met up on Sunday for the first time and full-back Neilson is hoping to do himself justice if handed an opportunity.

"I just want to enjoy myself and in the process prove that I deserve this chance," said the player who was tipped for international honours by Hearts assistant coach John McGlynn earlier this season.

"It's been a wee while since I played for the Scotland Under-21s but it's always good to get recognition.

"I took a wee kick on my ankle at the end of the Livingston match but I should be fine for the Poland match, if selected."

Taken from the Scotsman