Hearts' Thomson asks supporters not to blame Miko for miss

BARRY ANDERSON
JASON THOMSON today moved to defend Hearts winger Saulius Mikoliunas, insisting that the blame for losing two points against St Mirren on Saturday should not fall at the Lithuanian's feet.
Mikoliunas, making his first appearance as a substitute in over three months following knee ligament damage, was culpable for missing a glaring chance late in the match with Hearts 1-0 ahead. He chose to hit David Obua's cross first time when unmarked and only yards from goal but sliced the ball high into the air. Moments later, he conceded the foul which led to Andy Dorman's equalising goal.

Thomson pointed to the fact that his team-mate would have been short of match sharpness after such a lengthy absence, and stressed that no-one in the Hearts dressing room would be criticising his efforts.

"The gaffer asked Miko about the chance after the game. He said: 'Did you have to take it first time?' The ball was fizzed right across goal and whether he took it first time or took a touch to control it, I don't think he did anything wrong. We're not going to blame Miko for Saturday. He got a chance, he missed the chance, that's how it goes.

"He only rejoined training last week and the gaffer probably wanted to give him 15 minutes or so at the end. I thought he did well when he came on. He had a few shots and was unlucky with the chance everyone is talking about. It will be good to have him back in the team when he is fully fit. He gives you pace and strength going forward and he will want to get his match sharpness back."

Thomson added that Mikoliunas had been in good spirits since returning to Riccarton after recuperating from his back injury in Lithuania. "He's back in the dressing-room being as annoying as ever, so we know he's back all right. Everyone's been glad to see him around the place again," added the full-back.

Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts manager, expects an announcement this week on whether trialists Arunas Klimavicius and Graham Barrett will be granted short-term contracts. The Hungarian had hoped for a decision on Friday but said the onus is now on the Tynecastle hierarchy to bring the matter to a conclusion.

"The club must decide," said Laszlo. "Barrett is a good player, but next week Mike Tullberg is back so it is like I have a new striker. Arunas can help us. We need a central defender."

Laszlo was forced to improvise against St Mirren by partnering Eggert Jonsson with Robbie Neilson in central defence after Christos Karipidis failed to recover from a virus.

Taken from the Scotsman