Rix splits squad in two to improve fitness of new signings

SOME of Hearts' most high-profile signings have been put on a crash-course training programme designed to get them fit enough for Scottish football. In what is a reversal of recent policy, those concerned have been omitted from the squad to play Motherwell today.

Roman Bednar and Edgaras Jankauskas are back after injury, however, and expected to come off the bench at some stage. If they do, the Hearts team which ends the match could, barring the suspended Paul Hartley, be very close to one of the line-ups from early in the season when George Burley was the manager.

The change is a victory for the first-team coach Graham Rix and the new director of football Jim Duffy, but it is also a win for common sense. Although Vladimir Romanov reportedly wanted the new signings to be given a run-out in the first team, it was obvious in last week's matches against Dundee United and Aberdeen that some of them were not ready for the high-tempo play which is the norm in the SPL.

"We've split the squad this week, and we've got to make sure that the guys who are not with me are thinking they've got to work harder to get into that squad," Rix said yesterday. "John McGlynn is taking a group this week, Valdas [Ivanauskas] is taking a group, if needed Jim will take a group - and that helps me concentrate on what I consider to be the first-team squad at the moment."

That squad numbers 18 to 20, and those left out - including the club's record signing, Mirsad Beslija - have been told why they have been omitted and what they need to do to break into Rix's top group. "It's been explained to them - don't think you're ready, don't think you're doing yourselves justice. And for the next week to ten days they've got quite an intensive fitness programme.

"Mirsad, Juho Makela, Ludek Straceny, Martin Petras, Ibrahim Tall - there's about ten. John McGlynn is taking them most of the week, Valdas is taking them tomorrow. And because I've explained it to the guys they've accepted it and are working really hard."

The split in the club's senior squad between genuine first-team contenders and the rest would appear to be the first positive outcome of Duffy's new role as the man who liaises with Romanov. Certainly, Rix seemed more relaxed yesterday than he has done for some time - a consequence not only of a lighter workload, but also of knowing that the communication difficulties between the football division and the Hearts owner have cleared up.

"I think you all know what I think of Jim Duffy," Rix said of his friend and former Dundee team-mate. "He's a top guy, he knows the game, I think he's a great addition to the club, and he's helped me no end already.

"If somebody had said to me this is your job, you're coming to Hearts, and your director of football is Jim Duffy, I'd have snapped their hand off. I'm going to put him in the dug-out tomorrow because he makes me look good. Nah, he's invaluable, he's an experienced guy. he's doing great, he's working really hard, and I'm just disappointed he wasn't here before the transfer window."

The fact that both are only contracted until the end of the season might be expected to induce insecurity, but instead both men seem settled, and well aware of what they have to do to extend their tenure. "We've got to win games," Rix continued.

"Every manager, every coach - they're all under the same pressure, you've got to win matches. If we do that from now until the end of the season, hopefully it will be a longer-term deal. But as you know, in football you lose four on the trot and, I don't care who you are, you're under pressure."

Hearts can expect to be under physical pressure today against Motherwell, who drew with them at Fir Park and came within a whisker of ending their then 100 per cent record at Tynecastle back in August, when a superlative last-minute save by Craig Gordon ensured a 2-1 home win. A lot of responsibility will rest with Lee Johnson, if as expected he takes over Hartley's playmaker role. Julien Brellier returns from suspension, while Bruno Aguiar could also play a part in midfield.

On the other hand, if and when Bednar and Jankauskas come off the bench, the Motherwell defence will come up against a couple of players who are pretty hungry to get back onto the scoresheet.

"I'm so strong now," Bednar said. "If I play I do everything to win."

Taken from the Scotsman