Makela states his case - three times

A LARGE squad can heighten competition for places, but an over-large squad can produce dissatisfaction among those who are not playing often enough.

Hearts have recognised that somewhat since they went on a signing blitz in January, offloading some of the players they acquired then. One they have kept, however - and one who hopes he will be afforded the opportunity to prove he is worth keeping - is Juho Makela.

The Finn has been given the odd run-out from the bench, but has found it tough to get past Roman Bednar, Michal Pospisil and Edgaras Jankauskas. He has also, more recently, seen the dynamic Mauricio Pinilla arrive, and has also had to endure the promotion of other young players from within.

Indeed, were it not for injury to several of the above-named players, Makela may not even have been given the chance to show what he can do by getting a start against Alloa in the CIS Cup on Wednesday night. Once given that chance, however, he took it, scoring a hat-trick in the visiting side's 4-0 victory. Now, though he is not banking on it, he hopes he has done enough to hold on to his place for Sunday's league match in Aberdeen.

"I have scored hat-tricks in Finland before, but of course this is my first for Hearts - and the first time I've been in the starting 11," Makela said. "Of course I want to play more. It hasn't been a rosy start for me. I've been here many months waiting for my chance, but I'm encouraged that this was my first time starting and I think I did well.

"It was my purpose when I went on to the field to score goals, and I succeeded. But we have seven strikers in our team. I hope it counts, but it's tough competition, and Sunday is another game."

The fact he has been written off in some quarters as a bad buy has not deterred him. He is convinced he is worthy of a place at the club, and simply wants to be allowed to prove that to others.

Makela could have thrown in the towel at Hearts over the summer, as a club in Germany and one in Switzerland - he refused to name either - were interested. "There were plans, but they didn't work out," he explained. "Anyway, Hearts didn't want to let me go, and eventually they said they needed me and I stayed. Of course, things will have to change a little if I'm going to be here.

"I just want to play. I said to them I want to play regular first-team football. I had a good conversation with Valdas and I made my point. I hope I can play here.

"What's the point of being on the bench or in the stand? That would be very bad for my career. Clubs are not interested if they cannot see me play. So I need to play. It's very important."

Makela has seen first Calum Elliot and more recently Jamie Mole promoted above him, and he admitted it was a blow to him to realise he had dropped further down the pecking order. "Yes, it has been a surprise for me, because I have played in Finland's national team and I have played in some Champions League qualification matches.

I showed today that I can score, and that has reminded people that I'm still here. I still have about three years on my contract."

So, having taken his chance when offered it, how disappointed would he be if he were dropped for Sunday's SPL match? "That's a tricky question. There are many players rested today, and this was my first start. I'll have to prove myself again and again and again. I could have scored a couple more."

Taken from the Scotsman