Hearts boss tipping Berra to be a Scots regular

BARRY ANDERSON
CSABA LASZLO today hailed Christophe Berra as one of Scotland's most outstanding defensive talents and predicted he will quickly become a regular first-choice at international level.
The Hearts manager attended Hampden Park on Wednesday evening to see Berra earn his second full cap against Northern Ireland and detected a future stalwart in the making during the player's composed substitute appearance.

Laszlo believes the Hearts captain is the natural successor to veteran Rangers defender David Weir, whose start in the 0-0 draw raised eyebrows among those keen to see fresh talent introduced to the national team.

Michael Stewart also entered the fray during the second half but Laszlo stressed that Berra will soon command an international starting berth on merit.

"I know that if you put Christophe Berra in the field in any position he gives 200 per cent. In my opinion, he is one of the biggest defensive talents in Scottish football," the Hungarian said. "He will have his place in the Scottish national team, 100 per cent. He did not start on Wednesday but this is not a big problem.

"I think he would like to get more experience with Scotland but the national coach knows what he has to do. I don't think it's a big problem for Christophe if he isn't in the first eleven at the moment. He is a perfect professional player and he is happy to be involved with the national team.

"I was in the stadium and both he and Michael Stewart looked comfortable playing for their country. I think they can be part of a good team and if results are good at the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign then I think the future will be bright for Scotland."

Hearts welcome St Mirren to Tynecastle tomorrow for the first of four SPL fixtures which Laszlo believes will provide an indication of the team's progress since his appointment as manager. They then travel to Hamilton next weekend before a trip to Falkirk and a home match with Inverness. "These matches will tell which direction we are moving in," said Laszlo. "The standard of opponent is very high in Scotland and I take them all very seriously.

"I'm only looking to win the St Mirren match first but the others are on my mind. After these four games everybody will see where the team is going."

Laszlo will make a late decision on whether Danish striker Mike Tullberg can be included in tomorrow's squad following a muscle injury. Ugandan midfielder David Obua is also challenging for a place.

Hearts yesterday appointed Arturas Ramoska as their new first-team goalkeeping coach in place of Steve Banks, who is now coaching the club's youth goalkeepers. The Evening News revealed first on Monday that Ramoska was among the candidates for the job after impressing majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov as goalkeeping coach of FBK Kaunas.

The 44-year-old, who holds a UEFA Pro Licence, took to the field at Riccarton for the first time today and said: "This is a new challenge for me having spent all my playing career and coaching career with Kaunas. I am looking forward to working with the Hearts goalkeepers and I want to help bring as much success to the club as I can."

Taken from the Scotsman