Pospisil laments loss of Hartley

HEARTS won't be able to call on another midfield playmaker with the verve and match-winning influence of Paul Hartley, according to Czech striker Michal Pospisil, when they continue the defence of the Tennent's Scottish Cup in today's fourth round tie against Dunfermline.

Describing the Scotland midfield player's £1.1 million transfer to Celtic this week hard on the heels of Steven Pressley's move to the champions as "a big loss" for the cup holders, Pospisil admitted it was "unusual" for a club challenging for honours to let two of their best players join a direct rival.

Valdas Ivanauskas, the head coach, also agreed Hearts were weakened by the loss of Hartley. "Paul was a big player for Hearts," said the coach. "He was one of the best players last season, not just in our team but the Scottish league. We will miss Paul but it is a business and now other players can show how good they are."

In the face of persistent questioning on the departure of both Pressley and Hartley to Celtic, Pospisil was understandably reluctant to be drawn into football politics. "I would like to answer correctly, but have to see the situation also from the board's point of view," he said. "Maybe the offer was very good and Paul wanted to play at the highest level he could. Maybe he wanted to go. But, of course, I'm disappointed. I don't like to see good players leaving."

Smart enough to avoid making a faux pas which might compromise his position at Tynecastle, Pospisil was still honest enough to acknowledge the team was seriously weakened by Hartley's departure. "Paul was an excellent player for Hearts - the playmaker," he said. "I don't think we have another player exactly like Paul. He was very good at set-pieces. He could control the tempo of the match and change the game; he brought something extra to his position, something special. It will be more difficult to retain [the Scottish Cup] without experienced players such as Hartley and Pressley. Paul was my neighbour in the dressing-room and I will miss his chat and jokes."

Of the so-called Riccarton Three - the Hearts players who revealed dressing room unrest at the way owner Vladimir Romanov was running the club - only captain Craig Gordon now remains. And there were no guarantees from Ivanauskas that the Scotland goalkeeper will start the match against Dunfermline. Pressed repeatedly on whether Gordon would take over from Steve Banks, Ivanauskas replied: "Craig is in the squad. Steve did well in three games." Ominously for the Scot, the head coach also drew a parallel with Highbury last season when Germany's Jens Lehman lost his place in the Arsenal side. Pospisil, on the other hand, believes it is vital Hearts call on Gordon's leadership qualities as well as his goalkeeping prowess. "It's great that Craig is staying because he can organise the defence and is very good in the dressing room. We need a leader, especially one of the Scottish guys."

Like Gordon, of course, Pospisil rejected an opportunity to leave Tynecastle during the transfer window. Hearts accepted a bid of around £100,000 from Bristol City for the striker. The Czech, who still has 18 months of his contract left to run, was flattered by the English club's interest but not convinced the move was the right one for him. Contrary to previous reports, he insisted the decision to turn down Bristol was not money related. "It was a close decision, because I was impressed by the club and the manager - it just didn't come at the right time," he said. "It wasn't about money. There was a lot for me to think about, like moving my family. And I didn't yet want to say goodbye to Hearts. I want to fight for my place and look at the situation again in the summer."

Pospisil wasn't upset by the fact Hearts accepted an offer for him and said he accepted the decision as normal football business. Indeed, the forward preferred to be given the chance to make up his own mind and consider whether or not to move on.

Having already scored six goals against Dunfermline - four of them at East End Park - it would be logical to expect the Czech striker to figure in Hearts' plans today. "I enjoy playing at Dunfermline," he grinned, "because I'm very successful there."

Hearts may hand a debut to Ghana internationalist Laryea Kingston, a defensive midfield player on loan from Russian club Terek Groznyi, reputedly earning £15,000 a week. With Christophe Berra unable to train with an ankle injury, Bruno Aguiar doubtful and Gordon not assured of a place, Ivanauskas faces any number of selection headaches against opponents who eliminated Rangers in the third round.

Taken from the Scotsman