I STRUGGLED AFTER GAFFER PUT ME IN AWKWARD POSITION SAYS PAUL HARTLEY

BEMUSED Hearts star Paul Hartley admits he didn't know where he was supposed to be playing in the dismal derby defeat by Hibs.

The Tynecastle lynchpin was amazed when he was deployed as a second striker in the 1-0 CIS quarter-final loss in midweek.

He was asked to support Lithuanian frontman Andrius Velicka but the tactic flopped for stand-in Jambos boss Eduard Malofeev. The Russian's side put in one of their worst displays of the season. Hartley made no excuses for the result and vowed to put things right against Falkirk in tomorrow night's live SPL clash.

But the Scotland midfielder couldn't disguise the fact he was unsure of his unfamiliar role at Easter Road and said: "I was disappointed with how the game went and my own performance.

"I wasn't pleased with it but it was a new role for me.

"I'm not blaming anyone but I'm not used to that position and it isn't my favourite.

"I play my best football when I'm breaking from the middle of the park and linking play.

"I'm not quite sure where I was supposed to be playing on Wednesday night. I think it was just off the front but I've never played there. I was told to support Andrius when we got the ball from the back.

"I tried to get on the end of things but it didn't work.

"We didn't pass well and looked nervous so I was disappointed with the way I played and I hope to do a lot better tomorrow.

"We know we let ourselves and the supporters down. We never got started and their goalkeeper didn't have a save to make.

"But we'll be giving it our best shot against Falkirk and must at least make their keeper work."

Hartley will surely take his place in the heart of midfield against high-flying Bairns tomorrow night and he'll be out to upset a former team-mate.

He played with Falkirk boss John Hughes at Hibs and isn't surprised by how well Yogi has adapted to life as a gaffer.

Paul said: "Falkirk have been excellent this season and John's done a magnificent job.

"At Hibs he was always a great character. Now he has turned into a really good manager.

"They've some exciting players but their best is Russell Latapy - he pulls the strings and at 38 has been brilliant this season.

"John was always geared to be a manager and he has been terrific."

Deep down Hartley knows the title is beyond the Jambos who already trail Celtic by 13 points.

But it's a measure of how far the Tynecastle outfit have come that they aren't content just to emulate last season's success of finishing second in the SPL.

Hartley said: "It's important we get back on the rails and start winning games again.

"Thirteen points is a big gap but we'll give it our best shot. We still believe we can do well this season and challenge for top spot."

Taken from the Sunday Mail