STRONG HEARTS NOW NEEDED SAYS MACKAY

VALDASIVANAUSKAS has been warned to play his strongest Hearts side in the remaining SPL games - or risk losing the Champions League battle to Rangers.

The Edinburgh defeat to Hibs set tongues wagging among the Jambos support - none more so than Tynecastle legend Dave Mackay.

He reckons head coach Ivanauskas must play his best available team in every game but even more so now after Saturday's derby shambles.

The former midfielder, who took in the Easter Road game after returning to Edinburgh to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Scottish Cup win, was left bewildered by the team selection.

The big talking point was the omission of Scotland defender Andy Webster for the third successive game even though captain Steven Pressley and Jose Goncalves were injured.

Mackay, who now lives in Nottinghamshire, was bitterly disappointed with the result and said: "You should always play your strongest team.

"When I played at Spurs we'd play our best XI no matter if it was a cup tie or a league game.

"I don't get the same press coverage down here of Hearts so it's hard to tell what is going on, it's only when I get up to Scotland I get to read about them.

"Mr Romanov has certainly put money into the club but it has to be to run in footballing terms."

Mackay's fellow Hearts supporters echoed his view and called on Ivanauskas to find a settled defence and dispense with his rotation system.

Like Webster, Julien Brellier and Rudi Skacel have had to wait patiently on the sidelines.

Webster, who yesterday took part in the Hearts Youth Development golf day at Liberton, is also the subject of rumours he won't pull on a Hearts jersey again unless he signs a new contract.

Supporters' Trust secretary Derek Watson said: "The Webster situation is interesting as he is an integral part of the team. There is obviously this whole thing about his contract as well but there is the need for points.

"The defence is a unit and it was a unit that was used to playing alongside each other. You are not going to get that unit bringing on or playing different players.

"We need a settled defence at this stage of the season although I do realise injuries have also played their part."

Taken from the Daily Record