Work to change a life marooned

DESPITE a clear willingness to impose himself at Hearts and subsequently upon Scottish football, Lee Johnson remains something of an enigma. Why has this extremely capable little player been seen only five times in maroon?

He arrived in January for the modest sum of £60,000, which bought out the remaining six months of his contract with Yeovil Town, and immediately endeared himself to supporters with forcible performances in a 4-1 destruction of Hibs and 3-0 Scottish Cup dismissal of Aberdeen.

Since then, very little. Johnson has been a cruel victim of a squad rotation approach by Vladimir Romanov that would put even Claudio Ranieri to shame, making only one substitute appearance between the aforementioned cup triumph at the beginning of February and Sunday's league finale at Ibrox.

Fitness hasn't been an issue, so we are left to deduce that, as one of only three Graham Rix signings, Johnson is not held in particularly high regard by Romanov or interim head coach Valdas Ivanauskas, pictured below.

This theory seemed to be confirmed as a sideline to Rix's sacking back in March, when a statement from Romanov's son, the Hearts chairman, criticised certain signings.

"We felt some of the signings made in January were not appropriate for Hearts," said Roman Romanov at the time. He clearly wouldn't have been referring to the eight players recruited by his father on the recommendation of his trusted scouting network. That left Rix's three - Johnson, Chris Hackett and Neil McCann.

McCann has been absent due to torn medial ligaments since January, but neither Johnson or Hackett have been seen since Ivanauskas took temporary control, leaving supporters perplexed but the team unperturbed as a place in the Scottish Cup final was supplemented by one in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League.

Paul Hartley's frightening end-of-season form has been a pivotal factor in the continued omission of Johnson in particular, but with the vice-captain taking a well-earned rest on Sunday a gap was prised open for the ambitious Englishman.

"Going to a place like Ibrox is always exciting," he said. "It was great for me to get involved, we couldn't get the result but I enjoyed it and the fans were amazing as they have been to me all season. I loved just getting a run out.

"The squad list was put up on Friday and that's when I found out. I was disappointed not to start to be honest but I got on in a great game of football.

"I'd like to think I could have had more opportunities than I've had. I feel I've played quite well in reserve games so it's just a matter of keeping my attitude and hopefully that's been rewarded with me getting a half-hour against Rangers."

Johnson himself readily betrays his confusion at being largely denied first-team participation. To the 24-year-old's knowledge, he hasn't done anything wrong, fallen out with anyone, or even performed below standards, as the Hearts support would be inclined to agree.

Constant rejection takes its toll, but with a Scottish Cup final imminent and the opportunity to savour the first major medal of his career, Johnson's recall at Ibrox has been nothing if not timely. "Who knows whether I'll have a chance of playing in the cup final," he continued. "I'll be ready and I'm always hopeful. I'm a pretty positive character and I'd love to play in a cup final as I've never done that before.

"I felt I played my part in the earlier rounds when we beat Aberdeen 3-0. I want to win medals so I'll be delighted to get involved. I've got no qualms with Valdas or John McGlynn. Hopefully I warranted my chance on Sunday and I'd like to think I made a little bit of an impression."

A couple of piercing runs at the Rangers defence must only have aided his cause with Hampden in mind. Johnson is regretful, however, that his compatriot Hackett is still not a feature under Ivanauskas. With the season all but over, their best chance of reinvigoration may lie on the hard pre-season surfaces that Hearts will take to this July.

"Graham Rix brought us in so it's always difficult when the manager changes as you have to prove yourself all over again. That's what we're both trying to do. Ask anyone and they'll tell you that Chris and I only ever have the right attitude and want to learn and improve our game.

"As far as I'm concerned, I think the club is amazing and I want to play every week. It's important for me to play week in, week out. I'm a footballer and I live for playing games.

"I've got two years left on my contract and each season is a fresh start. A lot has gone on this season as everyone knows well. I train every day as if I am a first-team regular because that's the approach I prefer. I give everything in the reserves and to me that's all I can do, be ready when called upon.

"When I'm out on the pitch I'll always give my best for the club and hopefully keep enjoying my football. Sunday apart, I haven't lost a competitive game for Hearts so my record is decent."

The atmosphere surrounding Tynecastle this season has been akin to that of a carnival with managers entering and exiting and all manner of stories emanating from the club, from interference in team selection to alternative Lithuanian therapies.

For players, it is often necessary to blank out issues that are not directly concerned with kicking a football around a piece of grass, although Johnson is as aware as anyone of the headlines his club have made this season.

"I've never been involved at a club that has so much going on round about it, but that is the excitement of Hearts. The boys are brilliant here and have really looked after me. Whatever happens over the summer I know I've made some close friends here."

It must be hoped, for Hearts' sake, that we are not greeted by the news on a balmy day in July that this promising and determined player has been forced into returning from whence he came. There will be undoubted interest from England in Lee Johnson this summer, and perhaps also from other clubs in Scotland.

But he has taken to life Edinburgh and displayed a passion for playing for Hearts. Not qualities that should be readily overlooked.

Taken from the Scotsman