Jam Tarts to unleash Neil

NEIL McCANN is in line for an earlier-than-scheduled return to the Hearts starting line-up in tomorrow night's Champions League qualifier.

Head coach Valdas Ivanauskas and his assistant John McGlynn have been quietly nurturing McCann back to fitness since he damaged knee ligaments in January. Now, they are ready to unleash him on Bosnian champions Siroki Brijeg at Murrayfield and Julien Brellier may also feature in the game.

Scotland winger McCann had pinpointed the second SPL game of the season against Celtic as his comeback date, but his relentless enthusiasm has pushed him into first-team contention earlier than expected.

McCann has not played competitively since injuring his knee 24 minutes into his second debut for Hearts at Kilmarnock seven months ago. He took part in pre-season encounters against Osasuna and Livingston last week.

Ivanauskas and McGlynn face a straight choice between McCann and 18-year-old Andrew Driver for the left-sided midfield berth tomorrow. Driver has yet to play competitively for the club, but the multitude of European experience garnered by McCann throughout his career is expected to see him prevail.

"He will be involved at some stage and might just force his way into the starting 11," conceded McGlynn today. "Obviously Neil hasn't played many games, but the ones he has been involved in have helped him dramatically. He got 30 minutes against Osasuna and 45 against Livingston, so it will just be down to us to make that decision tomorrow.

"It's between the experience of McCann or the in-form Andrew Driver. Neil has picked up a lot in his time and has a good knowledge of the game. You see him helping the young players and he passes on a lot of information to them.

"His fitness is looking good now. Even during his rehabilitation he was looking particularly fit. He ran away from our fitness coach when we were in Austria and not many people do that. To have Neil back is great and his experience will be invaluable to us in Europe."

Brellier sustained a hamstring injury against Osasuna but the Frenchman has recovered well and has given the coaching staff a boost ahead of the match.

"We feel more confident about Julien now," added McGlynn. "He will train today and if he comes through it he'll be available for selection." Jose Goncalves and Paul Hartley, meanwhile, are definitely out.

Hearts' ticket office have extended their hours to continue selling tickets for the game, the Tynecastle ticket office opening until 8pm tonight and from 9am-5pm tomorrow. Thereafter supporters can still purchase tickets from the Murrayfield ticket centre until 30 minutes before kick-off.

Edinburgh's Talk 107 radio station will broadcast the match live from 7pm with commentary from Tom Miller and the former Hearts coach Peter Houston.

Meanwhile, winger Chris Hackett has completed a medical at English League One club Millwall and will complete his return south once a fee has been agreed with Hearts.

Taken from the Scotsman