Rix has to test depth as Hearts suffer key absences

HEARTS will need to call on the substantial resources which were imported to Tynecastle during the transfer window in January to provide cover at Inverness today for the loss of Steven Pressley through illness, the injured Edgar Jankauskas and Rudi Skacel as well as the suspended Julien Brellier.

Effectively without the spine of his first choice side, as well as the club's highest scoring striker, Hearts head coach, Graham Rix, took some consolation yesterday from the fact most of the 11 players added to the staff earlier this year now have a better understanding of what's required of them in the SPL.

"It's been well documented that the players we brought here in January weren't ready initially," recalled Rix, who split his squad into separate groups last month. "But they've worked hard, not only on the physical side of the game here but also the mental aspect. They understand a little better now what's required. I think that showed in the performance against Livingston when Bruno Aguiar and Martin Petras were excellent in the middle of the park.

"These guys were not used to the intensity of our training and I think we've been able to explain to them what's required. We've also shown them DVDs [of matches] and they realise now this is a tough place to play.

"We've got a few out and will miss all of them - there are four big players out of our team. On the plus side, if they have a chance for a little rest and come back flying, that's great for us.

"For the guys who come in, it's a chance to show what they can do. We managed to put players in against Livingston last weekend and they did well. They helped us to get a result and that's the bottom line."

It would be stretching a point to suggest Hearts have learned to 'win ugly' in recent weeks, but the Tynecastle side do seem to have acquired the capacity to win when below their best - a trait previously copyrighted by the Old Firm.

"Every team goes through a sticky period and it's how you get through that which counts. Yes I want to see us play free-flowing football. But when that's not happening we need to keep winning - that's what's kept us in second place and got us into the Scottish Cup semi-final."

The quality of the individual players at Rix's disposal makes a huge difference in this regard. Even when Hearts haven't fired on all cylinders as a team over the past month, players such as Jankauskas, Roman Bednar and Deividas Cesnaukis have contributed outstanding goals.

Caley Thistle may not shed too many tears for Hearts' predicament today when they learn that Paul Hartley is available to return in midfield and Bednar, whose confidence was boosted by scoring the winning goal at Livingston, is set to start the game and partner Calum Elliott in attack.

While the 19-year-old striker has kept forwards of infinitely greater experience out of Rix's starting line-up for much of the season, he looked embarrassed yesterday when it was suggested he might be a candidate for Scotland's young player of the year award.

Rix wasn't surprised to hear the player's own modest reaction and talked up his contribution. "For a new kid on the block, Calum has been sensational. He's maturing as a player and a fellow. I'm delighted for him - he's a self-effacing guy. And it speaks volumes about him when you look at who he's keeping out of our team. He's a key factor in this team. His attitude is unbelievable. I just hope he can maintain that approach over the next 15 years."

Taken from the Scotsman