Sep 11 2009

LARYEA KINGSTON has hit back at Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo again in the astonishing fitness row which threatens to end his Tynecastle career.

The Ghanian claims he was perfectly within his rights to play in last week's international matches, likening himself to a soldier serving his country.

Laszlo was furious with Kingston for claiming he would always put his country before his club and yesterday likened his actions to an amateur.

The 28-year-old midfielder has not played for the club this season due to a persistent knee injury and appears to have no intention of backing down in the row.

"If the coach has a problem with me, he should simply say so and not use my national team commitment against me," Kingston told BBC Sport.

"I have played for a lot of clubs but I can play for only one national team.

"I am like a soldier who must stand up for his country at any time."

Kingston played the final quarter of Ghana's win over Sudan last weekend - a victory which secured the Black Stars a place in next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.

The player, who missed the 2006 World Cup through suspension, also started Wednesday's friendly against Japan in Holland.

His attitude prompted Laszlo to brand him an "amateur" and offer to show him the door at Tynecastle if he did not commit 100 per cent to the club.

Kingston's Hearts contract expires next summer.

Taken from the Daily Record