Hearts will be the losers if Pospisil opts for Norway

THE suggestion of Michal Pospisil departing Tynecastle this summer has been met with widespread disenchantment amongst the Hearts support, who have taken to cherishing the Czech the way some of his compatriots would a glass of pilsner.

An impressive record of eight goals in 15 starts denote Pospisil as the fourth highest scorer at the club last season. That more recognisable net-bulgers like Paul Hartley, Rudi Skacel and Edgaras Jankauskas finished ahead of him casts no aspersion on the achievement.

So it is little surprise that his sojourn to Norway last week caused such upset. Stabaek, whilst a side of reasonable stature, have never been one of the more reputable clubs in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, so for Pospisil to fly to Oslo for secret discussions with their president, Einar Schultz, gives a hint of his disgruntlement at the lack of first-team opportunities in Edinburgh.

Should he opt to move Hearts would be entitled to a fee for a player who cost them £300,000 to secure on a three-year contract from Slovan Liberec last summer. However, financial recompense is unlikely to pacify those supporters endeared by Pospisil's talismanic qualities.

It is more than a little ironic that Hearts are presently searching for a proven goalscorer against the backdrop of one of the most effective finishers in the country appearing unhappy with his lot at Tynecastle.

Pospisil has depicted himself as one who will act when the situation demands it.

After confronting former head coach Graham Rix, pictured, last November about being ostracised to the stand for a game at Fir Park, the Czech restored his relationship with the Englishman through good, old-fashioned endeavour. It appears only the same again will facilitate a rise in his stock with Rix's replacement, Valdas Ivanauskas.

"When I first arrived, Michal played in my first game against Aberdeen and I'm sure he'd be the first to admit he didn't do very well," recalled Rix.

"I took him off at half-time and had a long chat with him because I spoke to my players all the time. I told Michal what I wanted from him.

"Initially, when he wasn't involved after my first few games in charge he came to see about what was happening. I said: 'I want you work harder at certain aspects of your game'. I wanted him to work outside the box. He's never going to be like Roman Bednar, who is strong, powerful and chases and closes down opponents, but you still have to do your fair share of it.

"To be fair to the boy, he was very responsive and listened to what I said, which showed me he had a good level of intelligence.

"In training, in games he played either from the start or off the bench, he was great. Michal is a fantastic finisher, probably the best finisher at the club. Hearts need a penalty-box predator like him."

As he hovers by the altar today awaiting marriage to his long-term girlfriend Gabriella, Pospisil may well take a moment to ponder his footballing future as well as his personal one. Hearts are a club on the rise, but that is no use if you're sitting on the bench or in the stand.

Stabaek have tracked the player since January and are hoping for a definitive decision from him next week. "The talks were pretty informal as Michal was over in Oslo seeing some friends," said Pospisil's agent, Viktor Kolar. "Last time I spoke with Mr Romanov he said he was happy with Michal. The only thing is, Michal is worried that he won't get the opportunity to play as much as he would like at Hearts."

Pospisil already has Bednar and Jankauskas to rival for a starting berth but the aforementioned Romanov desires increased competition in attacking areas for next season, hence the interest in the Cameroonian international Albert Meyong.

Therefore, it is difficult not to sympathise with Pospisil in his search for regular exposure. Being confined to the bench so often at Tynecastle has possibly cost him a place in his country's World Cup squad. "It's ultimately between Michal, Hearts and his agent," continued Rix, "but I can understand where he's coming from.

"Every player wants to play and when you're not in the side you're frustrated. That's where your man-management skills come.

"Michal is a slightly different player to Bednar and Jankauskas. The pair of them are good players and I wouldn't be derogatory to them at all, but Pospisil comes alive inside the box. I was asking him to retain that when I first arrived at Hearts but also to add a little bit more to his game. He worked really hard at it after that and he's a smashing lad."

Down to earth he may be, but that won't prevent Pospisil jetting out of Edinburgh in search of a regular start somewhere else in Europe. In that situation, the ultimate losers stand to be Hearts.

Taken from the Scotsman