Hearts see off Kilmarnock but may break with Pospisil

Ewan Murray at Tynecastle
Monday January 9, 2006
The Guardian

Hearts moved into the fourth round of the Scottish Cup here but risk losing Michal Pospisil in the transfer window. The Czech, described by the former manager George Burley as the best natural goalscorer at the club, has lost his place in the team after the arrival of Graham Rix and is increasingly restless on the sidelines.

The former Czech Under-21 forward's first option would be to stay at Tynecastle but he has admitted to uncertainty over his position as several strikers have been linked with the club. "I am ready if the manager needs me," said the 26-year-old. "That is important for me because I need to play. The manager and my agent said they would look at things in January, but it is difficult for me because I have only been here for half a season. I don't think it would be a good idea to change clubs so quickly because I like Edinburgh and like the rest of the dressing room."

Pospisil was dropped by Rix after only one game in charge and injuries to Roman Bednar and Edgaras Jankauskas have not given him back his place in the Hearts attack. Liverpool's Neil Mellor and Anthony Le Tallec remain high on Rix's wanted list, with weekend reports in France claiming the Frenchman already has an offer to move to Scotland.

"I would prefer to stay," said Pospisil, "but I think next week the manager will speak about transfers. I don't know what the board wants, which players will come in and go out, so maybe next week I will know more."

Hearts have agreed terms with Yeovil for the 24-year-old midfielder Lee Johnson and hope within a fortnight to tie up a deal for the Bosnian international winger Mirsad Beslija, who would cost about £800,000 from Racing Genk. Rix, however, has admitted frustration that news of his club's approach for the 26-year-old has entered the public domain.

"It is frustrating when it gets out," said the former Chelsea assistant manager. "Until it really happens I don't want to put the club or the players under unnecessary pressure. He is a good player, there is no doubt about that. If it all works out he will be a good addition to the squad."

It is eight years since Hearts won the Scottish Cup and the club's manager in 1998 was Jim Jefferies, who is set to sign a new contract as Kilmarnock manager this month. The Ayrshire side have a poor record at Tynecastle recently and, with Hearts far from their best on Saturday, Jefferies bemoaned his side's wastefulness in front of goal. "Hearts took their chances and we didn't, despite us having one or two that were better than theirs," he said, "but I'm not in any way disappointed with my team's performance."

Steven Pressley headed home his second goal in as many weeks from Robbie Neilson's long throw before the substitute Jamie McAllister scored his first goal of the season with 16 minutes to play. Sloppy defending from the home side allowed Colin Nish to prod in a late hope of salvation for Kilmarnock, but Hearts held firm under a late onslaught. It was just about merited, from a match which will not be close to any list of Scottish Cup classics.

Man of the match Julien Brellier (Hearts)

Taken from the Guardian/Observer