Duo have stomach for battle

MIRSAD BESLIJA and Juho Makela share a common grievance as they strive to fully impose themselves on the Scottish game nine months after their arrival.

Both have provided brief hints of their potential at Hearts, like Makela's CIS Cup hat-trick at Alloa and Beslija's scintillating display against Dundee United at the start of the month, however they find themselves consistently overlooked when Valdas Ivanauskas is reading out starting line-ups.

The inactivity of two previously promising internationalists has, unsurprisingly, been noted at various locations across Europe. In Sarajevo the national coach of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Blaz Sliskovic, punished Beslija for his lack of first-team appearances by omitting him from his country's recent European Championship qualifiers with Moldova and Greece.

Meanwhile in Switzerland, FC Basel coach Christian Gross has demonstrated his stubbornness by admitting he may move for Makela, pictured below, for a second time when the transfer window opens. The Finnish forward held contract discussions with Basel last January and was close to agreeing a transfer from HJK Helsinki, however he refused to play in a trial match for the Swiss club after hearing of concrete interest from Hearts.

That both Beslija and Makela have made only intermittent appearances for their club so far is testament to the strength in depth Ivanauskas has at his disposal. However the present situation, should it continue, is clearly no use to two ambitious footballers who seem simply desperate to make an impact on the Scottish game.

"I had the chance to go to Switzerland last season but I decided to come here and I haven't regretted it," said Makela. "It's good to hear that people are interested in me and they believe in me, but I'm focusing on my football with Hearts and fighting for my place. This is where I want to play.

"There were a couple of clubs interested in the summer too and things got very close, but Hearts wanted me to stay and they convinced me I should be here. My situation is a little better now than it was when I first came here and I am fit to play.

"The situation can change very quickly here at Tynecastle and we don't know what things will be like in January. We have to see, so I will wait. Every time I take the field I want to score and I do my best to score. But you never know who is going to be playing on a Saturday. If I get playing time I will be dangerous and I can help the team. I need more playing time and I am anxious to get it but we have seven strikers and they are all good. I have succeeded when I have started games and I want to play more."

The Finn played in Hearts' reserve defeat by Dundee United on Tuesday but is likely to be restricted to the bench at best on Saturday when Kilmarnock visit Gorgie. Beslija, on the other hand, could find himself the main beneficiary of Saulius Mikoliunas suspension this weekend as a space opens up on the right of Hearts' midfield. "Miko is out so maybe this is my chance," said the club's record signing. "I am training and waiting for my chance. I will look forward to Saturday but I don't know if I will play or be on the bench.

"After the Dundee United game the manager changed the tactics and Miko started in the derby. But it's not a problem. I will wait."

Most players would be unwilling to sit back and allow their international prospects to be wounded by a lack of games at club level. Beslija admits his heart is torn on the occasions he is left out by Bosnia, but as the winger anticipates a change of coach for his country he is content to bide his time for the moment.

"I spoke with my national team manager and he told me if I don't play at Hearts I won't play in the national team. This is normal and the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina right now is not good after we drew 2-2 with Moldova and then lost 4-0 at home to Greece. We have no chance of making Euro 2008. I am not happy, every player in Bosnia is not happy. I will stay here and play for my chance. I don't know how long I will stay - one year, two or three maybe. It's a very good life in Scotland and my wife and children are happy here."

Taken from the Scotsman