Suso's frustration as volley for Hearts meant nothing after defeat

Published Date: 30 March 2010
By BARRY ANDERSON
PLACING greater emphasis on attack has brought Hearts a collection of spectacular goals in recent weeks. For Suso Santana, the club's Spanish winger, the frustration is that Saturday's screaming volley against Rangers ultimately counted for nothing.
The diminutive Suso capitalised ruthlessly on Sasa Papac's miss-hit clearance to dispatch an unstoppable shot outwith the reach of Allan McGregor, bringing Hearts level following Danny Wilson's opener. However, three further Rangers goals left the player dejected that one of his most memorable strikes would be overlooked.

Recent efforts such as Eggert Jonsson's overhead scissors kick at Pittodrie and Ian Black's 25-yarder against Falkirk were accorded more significance because they were central to vital victories.

A raking drive against Celtic at Parkhead last September first evinced Suso's aptitude for big occasions, not to mention his shooting prowess.

This was further demonstrated by goals against Hamilton and Falkirk before he embarrassed Papac and left McGregor flailing at the weekend with one swipe of the right boot. "Sometimes when you get balls like that they can go straight over the bar," said Suso, speaking exclusively to the Evening News. "This one went in but it wasn't worth anything in the end. It was one of my better goals, one of the ones I really enjoyed scoring but it wasn't worth anything to the team.

"It was a bit like my goal against Celtic at the start of the season, a nice goal to score but it did not bring us any points. It just ends up as a little anecdote that I scored."

Suso's inconsistent start to the campaign centred around hernia surgery and a two-game SFA suspension for his part in the post-match discord at Hamilton in December. He then had to adjust to the departure from Hearts of manager Csaba Laszlo, who lured him to Scotland last summer from the Spanish club Tenerife.

Only now, with the season edging towards a close, does he feel capable of producing top form having finally regained full fitness and a place in the team under Laszlo's replacement, Jim Jefferies. It was his cross that created Andy Driver's opening goal in the Edinburgh derby earlier this month and the follow-up against Rangers sees him now brimming with confidence. "It doesn't really matter whether you score against Rangers, Celtic, Hamilton or Falkirk. The goals are worth exactly the same. You get confidence from scoring goals no matter who it is against," explained Suso.

"I feel good at the moment, I feel strong and fit and I'm giving my all for the benefit of the team. Earlier this season I had the hernia injury and then the trouble at Hamilton with the sending off. That meant I had a break midway through the season. I am now finding a bit of rhythm. The season has to end some time but until then it is important we get the right results to finish as high as possible in the league."

If anything, the fact he possesses more than a hint of the stereotypical fiery Spanish temperament is helping Suso survive in the SPL. Against Rangers he was seen in confrontation with more than one opponent and found himself cautioned by referee Calum Murray on 39 minutes for adopting an aggressive attitude. "It's not only on the pitch, I am like that off the pitch as well," he laughed. "It doesn't change too much when I am away from football. That's my way of playing and that's the way I live. I am a fiery character and sometimes that does not help, but that's the way I am.

"For my wife it is easy living with me, but not for anybody else. I have a baby now but I have not changed that much. I try to be always calm.

"On Saturday, both teams were on the park going at it. Maybe other incidents were more worthy of a yellow card, but I got one. That was how the referee saw it and that's the way it goes."

Jefferies required several weeks to fully transfer his attacking intentions to his squad following his return to Tynecastle. With the transition now in full flow, Hearts are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with going forward. Much of their threat relates to the aerial presence of David Obua, a problematic figure to opposing defenders, whether it be from long passes or cross balls.

Suso's supply line from the right flank would appear to be central to Jefferies' style of play.

His dribbling skills and nimble feet perplexed Lewis Stevenson during the lead-up to the aforementioned goal by Driver against Hibs, and the manager is keen to continue with his attacking thesis as Hearts pursue a top-six place in the SPL table.

"I'm encouraged that we're getting the ball down and passing it better," said Jefferies.

"The boys are looking more of a threat and we are all working hard enough. The passion that was missing at Motherwell has been there in the last two matches, so we're moving forward.

"We met Rangers at their strongest, we helped them with the goals, but I took a lot out of the performance and I don't think anybody should get too down about it.

"We are getting close towards knowing what is our strongest, balanced side with everybody fit. It depends on who you're playing because sometimes you need to freshen things up. For that you need experienced players and we're getting some of them back now. That gives us options to plan the best team for the games ahead."

Suso, if he continues to produce piledrivers like Saturday's, is sure to be heavily involved.

Taken from the Scotsman