Jordan: Rix needs strong Hearts

A chance to extend their lead in second place to a protective nine points was spurned by failure to build on Edgaras Jankauskas' first-half goal. Still, though, a six-point advantage with eight games remaining is still a good gap, isn't it? With visits to Celtic Park, Ibrox and Easter Road yet to come, some might suggest otherwise.

The sands of ambition have been constantly shifting beneath the feet of the Hearts players this season.

"Never a better chance to win the league," became "never a better chance to split the Old Firm" as Celtic disappeared over the horizon early in 2006. Even so, the club has not been sandwiched by Rangers and Celtic since season 1991/92, when Joe Jordan's team finished second to an Ibrox side gathering momentum for nine titles in a row.

Jordan, therefore, is as a good a judge as anyone of what is required to break the duopoly. He insists building the right mental defences is the key.

Alex McLeish fired a psychological shot on Sunday when pointing out that Rangers have already slashed their deficit to Hearts by 10 points from its peak. Banishing the mindset which whispers that the Old Firm always prevail in the end is a necessity.

"That is a factor – a massive factor to be truthful," said Jordan, currently assisting Portsmouth's fight against relegation from the Premiership.

"You have to break that mould by getting in there and actually achieving. If you can do that then you get the confidence and belief to push forward and progress.

"You need strong characters to do it and I felt I had them, especially at the back. The back three of Craig Levein, Davie McPherson and Alan McLaren were as good as any.

"It's about getting players in the right mindset and then keeping your fingers crossed that you get the breaks. Coping with the psychological element is very important."

Protecting self-belief is one of the main tasks confronting Graham Rix. Hearts have won only two of their last six league games and could do with restoring a sense of momentum when they visit Falkirk on Saturday.

Steven Pressley, the club captain, admitted his side were now entering unknown territory and Rangers, as title winners on a dramatic final day of last season, have the advantage of course and distance success. That was a point acknowledged by Jordan as he reflected on fading from title contention 14 years ago.

"What was important in '92 was that Rangers had won the league before," he said. "It's always a factor when you have that belief – not as individuals but as a group."

Like this season, Hearts had been league leaders for months back in 1991/92 but held off Celtic in third by a single point.

"Celtic had spent quite a bit of money to try and break Rangers' stranglehold," said Jordan. "In that particular season, I think Ian Baird was the only player for whom I paid, but we clicked as a team.

"We kept that consistency going for a good while but fell short in the end because of injuries. Although finishing second was a good achievement, I was still a bit disappointed we didn't run Rangers right to the wire. Not having that depth of squad cost us."

That, of course, is not an excuse Rix will be able to call upon after 11 new players were signed in January. The depth is there, but is the strength? None of the incomers were involved, either starting the game or coming off the bench, on Sunday.

"I've kept track of Hearts and they've done reasonably well to keep going," said Jordan. "They've brought in a number of players over the past year or so and one or two have been big successes. Rudi Skacel has had a fantastic season and the goals he has brought to the side have been crucial."

Perhaps Jordan has stumbled upon another key factor. Skacel hasn't scored since the derby win over Hibs on January 28. The coming weeks will reveal much about him and others in the Hearts dressing room.

Taken from the Herald