Hearts boss challenges Arvydas Novikovas to stay on form

By BARRY ANDERSON
Published on 25/09/2012 12:00

HEARTS winger Arvydas Novikovas was today challenged by manager John McGlynn to produce more of the scintillating form he showed in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Dundee United.

The Lithuanian scored his team’s second goal of the afternoon with a spectacular 25-yard drive and is in fine form going into this evening’s Scottish Communities League Cup tie with Livingston. McGlynn is eager to see Novikovas reproduce his performance at Tannadice on a more regular basis. The 21-year-old has shown his undoubted talent only in flashes since debuting for Hearts over three years ago, and the manager today urged him to continue his current rich vein of form to ensure he stays in the team.

“We are looking for him to do what he did on Saturday more often,” said McGlynn. “We know he has the 
talent, it’s about getting him to 
produce it on a consistent basis. He took his goal extremely well and we all know he has that kind of thing in his locker. We’d like to see more of what he can do.

“I thought Arvydas played really well against Dundee United. In fact, our entire midfield played well and that contributed to us getting the result in the end.” Livingston travel to Tynecastle this evening to face what will be the strongest Hearts team McGlynn can field, with the manager determined not to treat the League Cup as anything other than the chance to win a major trophy. “It’s a chance to reach the quarter-finals and that’s something we want to take. Our focus is on nothing other than winning the game,” he stressed.

Andy Webster will again miss the match through injury but McGlynn has no other injury concerns.

Related Articles

• Teenage starlet Callum Paterson leads the line and scores twice as Hearts run amok at Tannadice

  FOR the first time in John McGlynn’s tenure, Hearts’ 
attack contained energy, 
presence and a clinical edge at Tannadice. Much of that was down to a 17-year-old kid with only eight senior games to his name.

  7 Comments

• John McGlynn keen to end troubled week with rare Tannadice win

  HEARTS manager John McGlynn is bullish at the prospect of his side overcoming the spectre of delayed wages by winning at Dundee United for the first time in more than three years this afternoon.

  1 Comments

• Hearts v Livingston: McGlynn demands Hearts be ruthless

  HEARTS go into tonight’s League Cup tie against Livingston in a much-improved state of mind following their 3-0 win over Dundee United at the weekend.

  20 Comments

• Omens augur well for a classic semi-final

  AT THE risk of tempting providence with an irresistible opportunity for mischief-making, the Tennent's Scottish Cup semi-final between Hearts and Hibs carries the firm promise of an exhilarating experience.