Starring with Elvis is tall in the game

IT'S difficult not to become enamoured by the audacity of Ibrahim Tall.

With his first winner's medal from Scotland still warm in his trouser pocket, the Senegalese is already stating credentials as a prospective long-term partner for Steven Pressley.

Tall's appearance at Hampden on Saturday was merely his fifth for Hearts, yet his personal vision for the club's defensive future has instantly transpired on the back of his burgeoning partnership with his captain. "I want to be beside Elvis again at the start of next season," he said. That's how it is with footballers, bold as brass.

Some may opine that Tall's presumption knows no bounds after spending almost eight months in solitary confinement at Tynecastle under first George Burley and then Graham Rix. However, on this occasion, the Evening News would beg to differ. In Tall's case, there would appear to be genuine justification for him laying a claim to the mantle of Andy Webster, pictured below, who is not so much on his way out the front door at Tynecastle as dumped in the car park after refusing to sign a new contract and snubbing Sunday's city-centre parading of the Scottish Cup. And since Webstergate erupted, the replacement drafted in has been the epitome of composure.

Equally impressive for Hearts has been the Portuguese defender Jose Goncalves, but his end-of-season hamstring trouble created an opening for Tall alongside Pressley that will not be relinquished without a fight come Champions League qualifying time in July.

"Elvis has a lot of experience and he is always communicating with me," said Tall. "I want to be beside him again at the start of next season and play in the Champions League. We have only played a few games together but I feel we have an understanding, and he can be good for me. I am 24 and I still want to learn.

"With Takis [Fyssas], Steven and Robbie [Neilson] playing beside me there is always a lot of talking, which helps me to settle into the rhythm of the defence after not playing for a long time. Normally that would make it difficult, but those players have made it easier for me."

With the recognised Pressley-Webster pairing about to be dissolved, at least at club level, Tall is striving to seize his moment. Perhaps the prospect of a Hearts back four reading Neilson, Pressley, Tall, Fyssas confronting Liverpool's Djibril Cisse or Real Madrid's Robinho next season shouldn't be dismissed out of hand. The club will be favourites to progress from the Champions League's second qualifying round as one of the seeds, although the third qualifier is certain to produce opponents of high prestige. At least, that's what Tall is banking on after being virtually ignored since arriving at Tynecastle last August.

"I came here to win trophies, which is important for every player in their career. We have had a great season with the Champions League and winning the Scottish Cup. Maybe next season can be even better. At Hampden on Saturday the supporters were great with us. When it is difficult for the players in a tense game like that we need our fans to be calm, and they were. They gave us their backing and we need that at certain times during the match.

"It was a very nice day but I was surprised how difficult the game was. Winning on penalties was a relief but it is only good for Hearts because it has been a very long time since they won a cup."

Not so for Tall himself. He was part of the Sochaux side which defeated Nantes to lift the French League Cup two years ago, the experience contributing heavily to his impassive demeanour during Saturday's spine-tingling penalty shootout against Gretna.

As the amiable defender stood pensively in the centre circle at Hampden, he gazed down towards Craig Gordon between the goalposts in front of the east stand. Suddenly the pre-shootout nerves dispersed.

"Against Nantes, we drew 1-1 and won 5-4 on penalties so I knew what to expect once we got to the end of extra-time.

"The players around me were still nervous but Craig Gordon is a very good goalkeeper and I knew it would be no problem for him. I will always remember winning the cup in France but on Saturday the atmosphere was tremendous. Our supporters are unbelievable. Elvis, Rudi and Robbie took their penalties superbly and then Craig brought off a great save.

"When I first won the cup it was a great moment in my career, but Saturday was every bit as special." Tall wasn't quite as relaxed on Saturday morning. Webster had been included in Hearts' cup final squad last Friday by interim head coach Valdas Ivanauskas after overcoming an Achilles injury. Official comments declaring the Scotland defender as having every chance of playing began to sow some seeds of doubt in Tall's mind.

Whether Webster truly was up for consideration will forever be open to debate, but all was revealed at the Hearts squad's pre-match meal, followed by the expected puffing out of cheeks by those previously unconvinced of their place in the starting line-up.

"The gaffer told us the team at 12 o'clock," said Tall. "Everybody wanted to play and I knew Andy Webster was in the squad. The manager made his choice and, of course, if you play then you are happy.

"It was a great day for me to win a final because you don't get the chance to do that every day.

"Everything worked out well for us in the end. I think Paul Hartley might have been disappointed by his sending off because it was such a big day, but he is an important player for Hearts. He didn't apologise to the players and he didn't need to. Everyone gets sent off at one time or another and he has had a great season so it is no problem. I think he was too busy celebrating anyway."

Indeed he was, joined by more than a few willing accomplices. Tall indulged in some fraternising himself, but the satisfaction he derived from Scottish Cup success will easily be eclipsed by a crack at the Champions League alongside Elvis.

Taken from the Scotsman