STANDING TALL

IBRAHIM TALL took one giant step in his Hearts career when he scored a goal on Wednesday that fired them within touching distance of the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

Not bad for a player who has spent much of his time at the club languishing on the Tynecastle bench.

Tall was rumoured to be a signing of Lithuanian owner Vladimir Romanov that eventually led to the departure of George Burley last season.

The player's career is on the rise now, however, and Tall and rose to the occasion during the 3-0 first-leg win over Siroki Brijeg at Murrayfield.

Former Sochaux defender Tall gained his first winner's medal for Hearts in their Scottish Cup Final triumph over Gretna in May as he played the last five games of the last campaign.

The Senegal international was only drafted into Valdas Ivanauskas' side hours before kick-off as a replacement for the injured Julien Brellier.

Now Tall will go all out to help Hearts clinch a money-spinning spot in the group stage.

He said: "It would be a dream for me to play in the Champions League group stage. I played a couple of times in the UEFA Cup with Sochaux but the Champions League is a bigger competition and every player wants to be there."

The 25 year-old is a cool customer and despite spending many months warming the bench in Gorgie never lost faith in his own ability.

He readily admits he never once felt like calling time on his Jambos career despite suffering many dark times during the early days.

Tall said: "Things are getting better and better and I am happy here. I admit last season was no good for me but I finished the campaign by playing in five games including the Cup Final and I want to play in a lot of matches this time round.

"The supporters have been very good to me and I never considered leaving last term. I always wanted to stay because I always believed I could play for Hearts and be successful.

"I wanted to let people see what I could do but when I came to the club the team was playing very well.

"They won nine games in a row at the start of the season and it is going to be difficult for any player to break into the team when that's the situation.

"I knew I'd have to wait until the gaffer gave me my chance."

And Lithuanian coach Ivanauskas did not hesitate to hand Tall the midfield berth when Brellier's hamstring injury flared up hours before the crucial match against the Bosnians.

Tall revealed that playing in central midfield was a position alien to his nature but he was delighted to get the nod and play his part for the team.

He said: "The gaffer said I'd be incentral midfield beside Bruno Aguiar and it is the first time I have played there. I have to be happy with the way it worked out because it was difficult for me.

"It's important for me to say thank you to Bruno. He was really good with me during the game and made sure I was taking up the right positions by giving me a little bit of direction here and there.

"There's no doubt he helped me through it. My goal was hugely important for me because this was a really big game for Hearts.

"Michal Pospisil played a good ball in to me and my first touch wasn't so good. I thought I might have lost the ball after that first effort but I wasn't going to give up on my belief that I could score."

Tall believes with the backing of the same fanatical support Hearts can challenge for the SPL title this season.

He said: "We are a big club with a terrific support and, in my opinion, some great players. We can have a great season. I don't know exactly how far we can go but last season was really good and the players all gained a lot of experience.

"We led the league for a while until Celtic got themselves into first position but we managed to lift a trophy. I certainly think we can play better this season."

With the mouth-watering prospect of a clash with the likes of Valencia, Liverpool, Arsenal and Ajax lying in wait in today's draw, Tall insists he has no preference so long as Hearts make it through to the group stages.

He said: "There are going to be a lot of good teams involved in the third qualifying round.

"We are in a great position against Siroki Brijeg but we must also be mindful this round is not finished and make sure we do the job properly.

"We have to be disciplined in Bosnia. I don't have a preference. The main thing is just to win the tie and make it through to the group stages."

Taken from the Daily Record