Hearts keeper Janos Balogh out to make fans forget Craig Gordon

Feb 14 2009 By Anthony Haggerty

JANOS BALOGH is determined to become a Hearts hero just like former Jambos No.1 Craig Gordon.

The Hungarian is well aware how much the fans loved the Scotland keeper, who left for Sunderland in the summer of 2007, but would love to prove they finally have a goalie who is match for the former Gorgie star.

Balogh, who signed a permanent deal in January after impressing on loan from Debrecen in his homeland, faces stiff competition for the jersey from Marian Kello and Jamie MacDonald.

After missing three matches while the paperwork over his move was completed he returned to the side to face Falkirk in last week's 1-0 Homecoming Scottish Cup defeat and is going all out to keep his place.

Balogh said: "I know all about Craig Gordon and that he earned a move to Sunderland for £9 million. It's difficult for me to attempt to emulate what he did here.

"Gordon was an exceptionally talented goalkeeper but if I play well the Hearts supporters will not think about Gordon any more.

"I hope I can stay here for a while and give a good account of myself and make a good impression on the fans. I wanted to stay here. This is a good club. I like Edinburgh and I like the manager. He is a very, very good boss and not just on the training side. He tries to help the players away from the game as well.

"I'm ready for the challenge to establish myself as the No.1 goalkeeper. I want to play every week in goal for Hearts."

Balogh is set to retain his starting berth against fellow UEFA Europa League contenders Aberdeen at Tynecastle today.

The Jambos are fourth in the league, with only goal difference separating them and third-placed Dundee United and Aberdeen just a point behind in fifth.

However, Balogh reckons no matter the outcome of today's match it will be too early to predict where Hearts will finish before the SPL split. He said: "The match against Aberdeen is going to be very difficult and this is the kind of game we have to win if we want to be in with a chance of playing European football next season.

"I believe the two teams that finish in third and fourth place will come from Aberdeen, Dundee United and Hearts.

"There are nine games to go before the SPL split and we have to face the Old Firmas well as the likes of Aberdeen and Dundee United.

"If we are in a good position after all those games then we have a decent chance of qualifying for the Europa League."

Balogh revealed he is ready to line up with Hearts' new central defence pairing of Christos Karipidis and Eggert Jonsson for the visit of Aberdeen.

With Christope Berra having left to join Wolves in a £2.3million transfer window move and Marius Zaliukas suspended, Balogh insists the new pairing will not faze him.

Balogh said: "I believe Christos and Eggert will partner each other well in central defence against Aberdeen.

"We work on those kind of things at training, building up relationships with the players in front of you.

"We are all quite comfortable with each other's game."

Taken from the Daily Record