Paulo Sergio deflects questions on Craig Beattie future at Hearts
HEARTS manager Paulo Sergio insisted yesterday that he has yet to give any thought to how Craig Beattie might fit into his squad.
The 28-year-old striker, a free agent since being released by Swansea City last month, has had preliminary talks with the Edinburgh club, but Sergio had yet to play a part in those talks when he addressed a press conference at Riccarton yesterday.
“He’s not my player,” the Portuguese coach said. “Why should I talk about him?
“If he comes to Hearts, then I’ll talk about it. I don’t know if that will happen or not. I’m interested only in the players who are in the squad.”
Former Celtic player Beattie had appeared close to signing for Kilmarnock, but he turned his attention to Tynecastle instead. Now 28, Beattie was Swansea’s record signing when he moved from West Brom for £800,000 in 2009. His contract was until this summer, but, having failed to make an appearance in the Premier League this season, he agreed to an early termination of it.
Hearts allowed John Sutton to go on loan to Australian club Central Coast Mariners last month, despite a conspicuous lack of strikers, and Sergio has often fielded squads in which Stephen Elliott was the only recognised front man. Sutton’s release was seen as part of the club’s essential cost-cutting programme, but their progress to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup has allowed the board to loosen the purse-strings a little.
Sergio, however, was unwilling to discuss the issue of strikers. “Do I need to bolster my strikeforce?” he asked. “Yes. I tried Ronaldo but he didn’t want to come.”
The manager’s preference to concentrate on today’s match at Fir Park and the players he has available is understandable. It will be Hearts’ fifth match in a fortnight and Sergio has seen signs of tiredness in his squad.
“The last games, playing every three days, we miss a bit of freshness in front – to be explosive, to create more chances. But it’s the way we have to manage the team during this period of important games. I was very pleased with what the players did during this period.”
The manager will be all the more pleased if his team get the win today which would take them to within three points of Motherwell. Such a result, coupled with the ten-point penalty imposed on Rangers for going to administration, would increase Hearts’ hopes of challenging for second place in the SPL.
But Sergio tried to downplay that possibility, suggesting that it would be too much to ask of a squad which suffered significant losses during last month’s transfer window.
“Nobody can be asking for us to be second or third this season after what we’ve been through,” he said. “You can forget it. We lose three or four important players in the transfer market: Eggert Jonsson, Ryan Stevenson, Sutton. Important players for us, so we’re not looking at the game this way.”
Having said that, Sergio added that he expected his team to compete fiercely today. “Everybody can be sure we want to win. We recognise that Motherwell are doing very well.
“We know they are a strong side with very good organisation, but we believe we can go there and beat them. I believe it’s going to be a very competitive game, with both teams looking to take three points.”
Although Motherwell have been in the driving seat for some time in the race for third place, they do not have a massive squad, and so could suffer badly in the run-in to the season if their injury list begins to lengthen.
In normal circumstances, Hearts would be favourites to overhaul them, but Sergio’s squad suffered a lengthy dip in form towards the end of last year as their salaries were delayed and uncertainty set in over the club’s financial future.
Because of that, the manager thinks even holding on to their current place would be a significant achievement by Hearts, although he believes his players, not himself, should be the ones to receive most credit. “I’m not a guy who wants to be in the spotlight speaking about myself. If we achieve third or fourth place at the end of the season it will be a great result after a hard season like this.”
Asked whether he thought he would still be at the club next season if Hearts did finish third or fourth, he replied: “It doesn’t depend on that.” Asked what it did depend on, he implied that he would definitely stay if it was up to him, but said that other, unspecified factors had to be dealt with.
“I’m happy here,” he said. “I love the club, I love the city, and I’m involved, committed with the club. But the future depends on lots of things.”
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Comments
There are 26 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
Anglo Jambo
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 01:30 PM16* First Green and Tommy Tommy what a great partnership. "The Union of the Clowns"
Anglo Jambo
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 01:28 PMPaulo Sergio is a gentleman and respects all clubs and their personnel. However he doesn't take kindly to other managers criticising him regarding events not pertaining to what happens on the pitch. In a coupled of months Hibs lot will hope that Dunfermiline go into administration.
Anglo Jambo
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 01:14 PMI don't think it is Cousins, Rankers should be looking at signing. Maybe Ally has a couple of nephews and an uncle worth looking at
busbyfth
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 01:10 PMOff topic - Notice the SPL refusing Rangers to be able to sign Cousins - papers portray it as a negative to Rangers when we all know that they have done the weegie club a favour by not allowing the cotract and therefore the debt to stand. Old pals act there.Allegedly of course.And Vlad gets pilloried for saying that the OF have friends that might do favours in high places.....
Anglo Jambo
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 01:04 PMThe most important thing today is not to lose. I think even a point won't be a bad result. If PS has to make changes during the game hope he does it a bit quicker. You know in first 20 minutes or so if a player is having a bad game. It is a risk factor if you replace a player at half time because of possible injuries. It is a risk worth taking. Materwell still have to come to Tynie.
Anglo Jambo
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 12:46 PMWe all have different opinions on players. To me Obua plays the odd above average game and I would never have him in my team. Skacel needs a rocket up his backside. He has the quality we need more consistency Though his name must be first on team sheet versus St Mirren. From the team that beat St J. The back four looks like McGowan for Hamill. Yet wouldn't be disappointed with Barr on right and McGowan on left.Granger yet to hit best form yet I am not a lover of McDonald but can't fault him after Tuesday. Maybe Gordon Smith has never had a fair chance but I think he lacks that special something strikers should have. So what happens today will the guys be well rested or can we expect a new introduction. Possibly Holt. Maybe even as a substitute. Though midfield a bit lightweight against St Johnstone. We know Mehdi can play but where is his best position. I think Robinson is better when Black is with him
Hen Broon
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:32 AMGarnor & WBB....I do rate Smith & I disagree with WBB he should go on loan. He is 21 & has been out on loan twice already. He is phsically able 6ft 3 & apparently nearly a stone heavier than big KK(does not look like he is anything other than lean). My point being he is physically ready. He was a stand out v SPURS at White Hart lane and in his only start since then scored. I am not certain he will make the grade but IMO if he cannot get a chance now then when will he. Elliott working his socks off but using him as the lone striker simply does not work.Re OBUA....he played well 'again' v STJ....fans were fuming when he was subbed....frankly I have not seen him have a bad game this season & TBH I would play him before Rudi or young Robinson today in central mid (along with Black & Mrowiec) if we go with(as i suspect we will) with a midfield 5. Massive game......my money going on 1-0 withELLIOTT ironically getting the goal. Therein bringing to an end a very good week & setting up a cracker v Dundee UTD at TYNIE.
Hen Broon
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 10:17 AM#1 Hannon....if U r going to continue your petty ill informed attacks on my posts u r going to have to employ a bit more gray matter than you have demonstrated in the past. #5 served the purpose of highlighting to#3 that he would be better concentrating his efforts on the 'reality' of Hibs current predicament than his childish perception of Hearts demise. Only you can explain what purpose your intervention served. If it was to demonstrate that it served no purpose in terms of constructive debate there should be two things that you should consider(1) The irony that this should come from you (2) That your critisism carries no credibility as it ignores(suprise suprise) your fellow Hibs posters contribution at #3 which was the catalyst to the response. Your own post offers nothing to the football debate(nothing new there) and once again your 'real ' agenda is transparent within the iodicy of your inference that #9 's allegencies would be with with Rangers if Hearts ceased to exist based on the poster highlighting his opinion that it is illogical to dt points from teams in a financial crisis. Nothing changes you offer nothing bar petty point scoring induced by bitterness.
WBB
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 09:49 AMI agree we need a forward and quickly. To be honest think that the club have been thinking that Kyle may have returned sooner and had one eye on the wage bill. I cannot see Glen hacking it and for me Smith must go out on loan to learn his trade. He is only a boy. As for Sutton well.... I have just finished watching Central Coast Mariners live v Wellington Phoenix in the A League and I have to say at last Sutton has found his level. He had a reasonable game albeit he huffed and puffed as usual. Held up the ball well, brought others into play, won his fair share of headers, made some decent passes and also had a chance or two to score. However as I say he has found his level which I believe is Scottish First Division League One in England at best. I know a few boys on here rate him but for me no pace and in the SPL that to me is curtains. Point being he is off and to be honest I cannot see him back although he says he wants to re-appear and try again. So we have no Kyle for sure, Suso going probably, Elliot fit and able and nobody else. Craig Beattie, the times I saw him on TV looked ok at Championship level so, if fit and we can afford him, bring him into the team for a few months. If he does the business then sign him but if not no loss just let him go at the end of the season.
TwoCupsYawn
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 09:30 AMAlso - does Stuart Bathgate (Chief Sportswriter - cough) write anything about Hibernian's mediocre plight, St Johnstone's Jody Morris, St Mirren's style of football, Aberdeen's change of ground and Craig Brown stabilising of the team, Dunfermline's plight and the job their Chairman has done with them (a REAL football man).....????? Or is he just grumping that he does not get his pointless questions answered?
TwoCupsYawn
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 09:20 AMTT - does it matter to you what us Jambos do? Would you like to see us break the law? I have never really thought you, or First Green, know what you are talking about. You spout drivel about where the money has gone - why should anyone answer that? First Green had a pop about Romanov and Whyte being crooked and I referred him to the words Hibernian FC and fraud - if you google it, you obtain something interesting insights into your own clubs fraudulent activities. David Duff appears and did charities as well as others - really good for your club. BTW, First Green's response got moderated so it must have touched a nerve.........
garnor
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 09:07 AMAnyway back to the story...It does seem a wee bit more encouraging that Hearts have even considered signing Beattie,as we are short in the striking department. Glen has'nt really been given a run,and does not appear to have much of a future,Smith is still young and inexperienced,but Hen Broon seems to rate him,Obua is away in the summer as is Suso Kyle,who knows?...so it would be worth a look at Beattie. Tough game again today,attended the home game .v. 'Well when back in Edinburgh at Xmas and we played them off the park,which I was not expecting.I expect Blackie to start along with Obua and Temps,we need some fresh legs. Couldnt' care less what happens elsewhere.
Atholl Brigade
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 08:53 AMWell I think your comments about Lennon show exactly where your allegiances lie. As for Rangers , I don't support them and if Hearts went bust, which is a scenario you guys spend most of your time dreaming about, I would go along and watch St Johnstonet. Personally I cannot see anything remotely attractive in following the likes of Hubs or your other favourites Celtic.
Hannon
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 08:45 AM#8 Baldrick why should those results have any bearing on the crowd at ER? There were 10,000 last week for Aberdeen so I think you could put your mortgage on the crowd being bigger this week. Does that answer your worries? As to balance sheet, I doubt the Tache or anyone else at ER will be interested in your concern, if fact, care to tell us why you are so concerned? I would have thought with all the great news coming out of Tynecastle this week that you would only have eyes for events at the PBS. I was accused of posting comments on here that bring nothing to the forum, in light of the contents of your posts, I have a long way to go to reach the dizzy heights demonstrated by you on a daily basis.
WBB
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 08:44 AM#10 Can you tell us all please exactly what the Rangers fans are doing that have Whyte on the run? As far as I understand it a few thousand stopped going to games a few weeks ago when the teams form dipped, and Celtic overtook them in the league, and now they are having some kind of demo at todays game? Is that it or is there more? Honest question because I am at a loss as to what you mean and cannot see how the Rangers fans could have stopped the clubs fall into administration.
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