Roman Czechs in Celtic clash

HEARTS boss Graham Rix today revealed that injured striker Roman Bednar is winning his fitness race to face Celtic on New Year's Day.

The forward was hurt in the defeat to Rangers at Ibrox and was forced to miss the Boxing Day visit of Falkirk as the resurgent Jambos returned to winning ways with a stylish 5-0 thrashing of the Bairns.

The 22-year-old has been responding well to treatment, with Rix claiming he has "every chance" of making the top-of-the-table clash.

"Roman wasn't quite fit for the game on Monday but he's getting better every day," said Rix. "I'd imagine he has a real chance for the weekend."

Hearts made light of Bednar's absence as they demolished John Hughes' outfit and Rix has stressed that the Boxing Day performance of his other strikers means that Bednar should not necessarily expect automatic selection when Gordon Strachan brings his Hoops to the Capital on Sunday.

Teenager Calum Elliot scored his first goals for the club with a double strike, Michal Pospisil stepped off the bench to find the back of the net and Rix regards the towering Edgar Jankauskas as key to his gameplan.

"First of all, I am not going to play Roman if he is not 100 per cent right," said the Hearts head coach.

"I am hopeful he will be okay for the Celtic match but the way we played against Falkirk was fantastic. That is the standard we have set for ourselves and we now have competition for places up front which is what every manager wants.

"It is up to me to pick the right combination.

"That was the response I was looking for from Michal. There has never been any trouble between me and him and to come on and play the way he did spoke volumes for the lad. I was delighted for him."

Contrary to reports which have continued to circulate this week, captain Steven Pressley is available for the weekend.

The Scotland star is one caution away from picking up a two-game ban and will line up in his usual place in the centre of defence against the league leaders, who have a four-point advantage over Sunday's hosts.

The Gorgie outfit continue to be linked with a host of new signings as the opening of the transfer window looms.

Lithuanian stopper Nerijus Barasa is the latest name linked to the club but Rix refused to be drawn on the possibility of the 24-times capped player arriving in the Capital.

"We are looking at a number of names and a number of people might even come over so we can have a look at them," he said.

Taken from the Scotsman