Time for Cesney to prove he's the one and only for Hearts

WITH Hearts developing something of a Lithuanian colony out on the right side of midfield, as well as in several other areas of the club, it prompts analysis of Deividas Cesnauskis' role at Tynecastle.

Alongside his compatriots Saulius Mikoliunas, pictured below, and the recently-signed Nerijus Barasa, Cesnauskis is embroiled in a three-way tussle for the predominantly attacking on-field position in front of full-back Robbie Neilson, and that's before you consider the prospect of a possible £850,000 signing in Bosnian Mirsad Beslija.

Presently, none of the three Lithuanian contestants have afforded themselves first-pick status this season under head coach Graham Rix, with Mikoliunas flattering to deceive and Cesnauskis making only fleeting first-team appearances due to a combination of injury and loss of form.

Barasa, on the evidence of two substitute appearances, looks like he could be the best equipped yet to fill something of a problem position for Rix. So where might this leave Cesnauskis?

Mikoliunas' future remains as unpredictable as his performances, his loan contract from FBK Kaunas due to expire in just seven days' time. That, you would think, would be welcomed by Cesnauskis as he toils to make a permanent impact on the team.

"I would love him to stay," says the winger, who has become affectionately known as Cesney amongst Hearts supporters. "Saulius is a good player. He didn't play very well against Kilmarnock on Saturday but there is a lot of pressure on him. He needs to play and play well because there are other players waiting to take his place.

"I think that's good because if the team has many players for all the positions it makes you play better. You get to a situation where it is all go, go, go and that's what the manager wants."

With precision timing, Cesnauskis picks this juncture to extol his own qualities as one of the primary contenders for Miko's favoured role. In their early days together at Tynecastle 12 months ago, Mikoliunas and Cesnauskis were accommodated on opposite flanks by then manager John Robertson, with the latter's versatility allowing him to be utilised on the left.

"The left side is Rudi's area now," counters Cesnauskis. "He has that to himself, but I can play further forward or through the middle as well as right midfield."

That much is true, and with his stay in Edinburgh guaranteed to last at least until the summer, the pressure on Cesnauskis is nowhere near as intense as it is on Miko. That didn't stop him wallowing in some self pity on the way home from Rugby Park on Saturday evening, though.

"I don't think we played too badly but the lack of shots at goal was the problem for us. We tried to put Kilmarnock under pressure after they scored but there still was not enough shots at their goal.

"All season we have played well and this club is taking big steps towards a promising future. We have had some games, like Saturday, which have not gone well but I think it is important to look at the overall improvement."

The evolution of Hearts as a force since last season deserves commendation, however, the blunt fact of a ten-point chasm between the Tynecastle club and Celtic at the top of the SPL is disheartening for the players in Gorgie to say the least.

In the interests of good PR and retaining squad morale and belief, Cesnauskis attempted to remain positive despite the way weekend results conspired against Hearts. "I think it is still possible. The ball is round, after all, and there are many games to be played with it so anything could happen. I still believe, and so do the rest of the players, that we will make it into the Champions League.

"I have had an injury and not been able to train for the last two weeks, so I have been struggling for fitness. Hopefully that is over now and I can help the club to progress in the second half of the season."

And what about after that? Given the regularity of comings and goings at Tynecastle and Riccarton of late, looking as far forward as beyond the summer is an extremely awkward thing to do.

"Maybe I will still be here. It's Romanov," laughs Cesnauskis, before pretending to pick up a telephone and question his compatriot and employer on his future. "Good? No good?" he jokes.

Humour aside, Cesnauskis must realise he has much to do during the remainder of the season to cement a long-term future in Edinburgh.

Taken from the Scotsman