Hearts' Andy has drive to play for England

Barry Anderson

Saturday's winning goal against Aberdeen was his fourth strike of the season, however, that does not betray the influence Driver has had on the team's tilt at European qualification.

It is Laszlo's belief that, if Hearts continue to improve under his stewardship, so too must his young players' chances of international recognition.

Driver for England may be a fanciful notion for some, but Laszlo is a realist. When he opines that a player harbours enough potential to represent the country of his birth, you can't help but cock an ear.

He acknowledges that monetary rewards are likely to turn the head of any youngster in light of clubs across Europe scaling down on squad sizes due to economic restrictions. But it isn't difficult to detect that Laszlo may just find greater respect for someone who refutes financial gain to aid their footballing prowess.

"If Driver would like to be a great player, if he listens to me and does not look for the fast money, he has the potential to play for the English national team one day," Laszlo told the Evening News.

"Maybe some people will smile at me for this but this is my opinion. I tell you why. I see this guy every day and he has the resources, but he must work and work to explore them.

"Saturday was the first headed goal of his life and that is not an accident. He got his head to the ball and he scored. Maybe now the next level is that he must jump with his head and he will score more, then he will discover another part of his strength.

"Driver must stay one season more at Heart of Midlothian. Not only because I am the manager, but around me there are a lot of good people. Arturas (Ramoska] is a very good goalkeeping coach. With Tom Ritchie I have a good fitness coach, and Werner Burger is my other side.

"I am very passionate and focused and Werner is behind me. Maybe what I don't see he can see and he gives me information. All these people together help the team to get better and better.

"It is very important for Driver to understand that his development is only just beginning. It is the same with Lee Wallace and Eggert Jonsson. Their development over the last half year was at a very high level.

"Driver has much more potential. He must learn a lot of things, he must know what his strengths are and he must work on these more.

"If he moves too early he could stop his development. A player must know the right moment to move and if he goes at the right time, with the right confidence, he can play in the first eleven for his next team."

Interest in Driver came from destinations as far-flung as Kiev during the recent transfer window. The player was always keen to stay put for the moment, with many observers expecting a transfer to materialise during the traditionally more recognised trading period of June, July and August.

Laszlo does not want that to happen either, stressing that another full season at Tynecastle is necessary for Driver to be ready for the absolute pinnacle of the game. And if Hearts achieve a place in the qualifying rounds for UEFA's new Europa League this May, the player may be tempted to stay for the opportunity of showcasing himself to the continent's cream next season.

"This (staying till 2010] would be the best for Driver but you never know what will happen at the end of the season," the manager continued.

"I think it is legitimate to talk about the top six for us this season, but maybe we can play in the Europa League and Driver can show his talent at European level. Then he can move if he can optimise his potential. But for now we must do a lot of work to get there, it is the same for every player.

"If you can play European football at club level, it is the best level. Sometimes, at club level, European football gets more attention than international football with your country. If you can play in the Europa League groups or the Champions League groups, immediately your price goes very high because you have greater experience. I encourage our young players to fight for this possibility and to go in this direction."

Laszlo sampled the UEFA Cup groups as head coach of Ferencvaros and thrived on their intensity. The tournament was widely regarded as a lesser being than its more illustrious Champions League cousin, however, UEFA's rebranding project is intended to inject fresh appeal.

"I am sure that, if Heart of Midlothian qualify for the Europa League, we can go to the group stage and then the sky is the limit," said Laszlo.

"Ninety minutes at that level can change a footballer's life. You look at Nike, they have publicised this number with Total 90 because it is a very interesting number for a football player.

"If you are clever you can change your life in a positive direction during 90 minutes.

"Once you are 35 or 36 and you stop playing you never have these 90 minutes back. You might be 90 years old one day, but you cannot have the celebrations that are possible during 90 minutes."

The next few months may indeed have life-changing consequences for Driver if Laszlo can help him realise those international ambitions.

Taken from the Scotsman