CAMAZZOLA KEEN FOR SECOND CHANCE

Hearts' forgotten midfielder Samuel Camazzola hopes a second-half substitute appearance against Inverness Caledonian Thistle has signalled his return to favour at Tynecastle under head coach Graham Rix.

The Brazilian was signed at the beginning of the season on a year-long loan deal from Juventude at the behest of Gorgie owner Vladimir Romanov, who also brought in Ibrahim Tall.

While Tall failed to impress then manager George Burley, wiry midfielder Camazzola was beginning to establish himself in the Jambos starting line-up when the former Derby and Ipswich boss departed in October.

Camazzola featured during John McGlynn's short spell as stand-in boss but had been sidelined since the arrival of Rix.

However, in the goalless Bank of Scotland Premier League match against the Highlanders at Tynecastle Camazzola made his first appearance in six weeks, coming on for Stephen Simmons as the home side tried to break down the impressively well-drilled visitors.

The Brazilian said: "It was difficult to come on so late on but I enjoyed my time on the park, although the result wasn't good.

"Before, when I was starting games, I thought I was playing well but I hadn't played since the new manager came in.

"I hope to start a game soon but it is not my opinion that counts, it is the gaffer's and I respect his opinion.

"He is a good coach and a good professional and there is no problem.

"I will keep working hard in training every day and hopefully I will get my chance again.

"I am still enjoying my time in Scotland. Edinburgh is a beautiful city - but the weather is no good."

After a rather impotent afternoon in terms of chances created, Rix would have done little for the confidence of strikers Michal Pospisil and Calum Elliot by claiming Hearts suffered without the first choice pairing of Roman Bednar and Edgaras Jankauskas.

With Bednar out through a hamstring problem and Jankauskas only fit enough to take a place on the bench due to a similar injury, the Jambos alternative strikeforce of Pospisil and Elliot proved inadequate.

Rix said: "With all due respect to the boys who played up front, I think we missed Roman and big Edgaras.

"Roman has a thigh problem and it was the same with big Edgar. He wasn't fit to start but we felt he was okay to be on the bench .

"These are two big players for us, we need them."

Inverness captain Barry Wilson claims the big crowds Hearts are attracting this season could be having an adverse effect on the Gorgie men.

He said: "Hearts are up where they haven't been in the league for many a year and they are expected to win games now.

"There was a bit of anxiety from the stands and I think this forced Hearts' hand in how they played, they were trying to get the ball to the front too quickly.

"That's right up our street because we defend well."

Taken from sportinglife.com