Hard work pays off for van Hooydonk

IAN PAUL
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25 Nov 1995

HE MAY not be having much success in his attempts to sign another striker, but Celtic manager Tommy Burns seems pretty happy at the moment, especially with the front players who would be complemented by the new man, whoever he turns out to be. The news that Bolton need John McGinlay too badly to allow him to leave in the near future has ended that possibility, but Burns insisted yesterday that the man he did buy, Pierre van Hooydonk, is not at the top of the premier-division scoring list on a temporary basis.

``I have no doubt Pierre will be in that place at the end of the season, too,'' said Burns.

``He is a prolific scorer.'' The manager went on to extol the other virtues of the Dutchman, who cost #1.2m last January, among them his willingness to learn.

If Pierre had been used to the typical Dutch style of forward play, where the idea is to leave the defending to the defenders, he has had to discard it, especially after Burns pointed out the need in Scotland to defend from the front.

``To be fair, he has accepted that and now he is as liable to be clearing out of his own penalty area as he is scoring in the other one.'' As he named an unchanged squad, which came as a pleasant surprise after a few key players had looked a bit doubtful earlier in the week, to take on Hearts at Parkhead, Burns admitted that he is feeling pleased with the entire pool at this point in the season.

``Last year our biggest problem was inconsistency, when we would go three or four games in a row in mediocre form.

This season we have kept a continuity of performance and I believe the reason for that has been the way the quality players have shown how they are willing to work both in games and at training.

That kind of thing rubs off on the others.'' Burns is especially satisfied at the midfield play.

``For a long time Paul McStay, John Collins, and Peter Grant were supposed to be the best midfield line-up here.

Now they're playing like our best.

They are showing a real desire to work for each other and that has made a big difference.'' The Celtic manager readily acknowledges the improvement in Hearts since they brought in their foreign division.

``It is amazing what a few new faces can do, but our thoughts must be on how we go about things.'' Hearts have a doubt about John Robertson, whose absence would be a real blow.

The striker has a hamstring injury which is getting constant treatment, but the three new men, Hans Eskilsson, Pasquale Bruno, and Gilles Rousset, will play.

Their win over Hibs last Sunday confirmed the Tynecastle revival under Jim Jefferies, who is hopeful of another win and another hop up the table.

Paul Smith, bought from Dunfermline, is fit again and Jefferies will decide whether he replaces Gary Mackay, who returned to the side in the derby and did well.

Said Mackay: ``That was my first game for six weeks and I hope I can keep my place now.'' Two player-managers may be seen out this afternoon, Murdo MacLeod for Partick Thistle and Alex McLeish for Motherwell, both because a catalogue of injury problems is making life difficult.

MacLeod, who played against Aberdeen recently -``I thought I was the best player on the park,'' was his crack - will decide this morning if he needs to put on the boots again.

``It all depends on who is fit when we check them out.

At the moment, Wayne Foster, Alan Dinnie, Steve Pittman, Steve Welsh, and Ian Cameron are doubtful after taking injuries at Easter Road, and Tom Smith is suspended.

I think we will be lucky to get two of the doubtful ones playing.'' MacLeod, none the less, is optimistic that his side can recover from that depressing 3-0 defeat by Hibs and beat Raith Rovers at Firhill, helping themselves to what he calls a bit of ``breathing space.'' McLeish also will make up his mind this morning whether to have his second game in succession.

Miodrag Krivokapic is available again and youngster Greg Denham may be left in the team alongside the experienced man against Falkirk.

John Philliben, Eddie May, and Jamie Dollan all are doubtful and may join long-term absentees Shaun McSkimming and Tommy Coyne in the stand.

Falkirk, still without Derek Ferguson, will check on Jamie McGowan this morning.

Taken from the Herald