Marian Kello left out as Hearts reward others
Jamie MacDonald took Marian Kello's place against St Johnstone
VLADIMIR ROMANOV’S stance on Marian Kello will prompt much debate. What cannot be questioned is that Hearts will reward players who show loyalty, as Jamie MacDonald is already discovering.
The Tynecastle hierarchy stand accused of cutting off their nose to spite their face by freezing their first-choice goalkeeper out of first-team affairs. It is a charge they previously faced in the cases of Marius Zaliukas, Jose Goncalves and Andy Webster. Romanov and his directors are undeterred, however.
Regardless of whether results may suffer in the pursuit of European football for next season – and there is no suggestion they will with the able-bodied MacDonald to replace Kello – Hearts will not play players who don’t commit themselves to the club. That transpired on Sunday when MacDonald replaced Kello for the William Hill Scottish Cup tie with St Johnstone.
Kello held talks over extending his stay at Tynecastle but is keen to continue his career in England. He is in discussions about a pre-contract agreement with an unnamed club south of the Border. That is why he refused a transfer deadline-day move to Austria Vienna last week, which would have secured Hearts a reasonable sum for a goalkeeper out of contract in four months. Romanov was rather miffed, to say the least.
The Slovakian is looking after himself, which he is correct to do under the circumstances. He is 29 years old and realises his next move could, potentially, be his last big one. Wherever he decides to go must be the correct destination, for there is no room for error.
He is eager to sample football in one of the major European countries and feels England would best serve the peak years of his career. Periods in his native Slovakia, Lithuania and particularly Scotland helped him become an internationalist but he now hankers after more progress.
He has been an excellent servant to Hearts, retaining his dignity through last season’s farcical episode when he was frozen out amid suggestions Romanov was unhappy with his performances. Jim Jefferies was ordered not to play him, now Paulo Sergio has bowed to similar pressure from his paymaster.
Hearts, like Kello, are servicing their own needs, and that means MacDonald and 21-year-old Mark Ridgers assuming first-team goalkeeping duties from the Slovakian. Both recently signed new contracts which tie them to Tynecastle until 2014, with options of further extensions thereafter.
In the opinion of Romanov and his associates, MacDonald and Ridgers are in for the long haul. Kello is not, therefore he has no right to play. It is a very black-and-white way of looking at things but it is nonetheless a clear statement to all that, as far as Romanov is concerned, you are either with him or you aren’t.
“Of course, the owners are looking for players who are loyal to the club,” said Janos Balogh, the third choice goalkeeper at Hearts until he severed ties in December. “With Marian, I can understand him. He played well for Hearts and he can probably play at a higher level. He wants to step up and this is football.
“It’s not like 40 years ago when players played for one team their whole life and only played for happiness. The world has changed and footballers have changed as well. If you can get more money somewhere else or play in a better league, then probably you are going to go. You aren’t going to stay.
“Marian being left out is strange but it’s happened before, not just at Hearts but other clubs as well. It’s not my business, I don’t know whose decision it was. For Marian it’s going to be very frustrating, but in another way it’s good for Jamie. I like both of them so I hope for the best for them.
“If I was still there, it probably wouldn’t be a chance for me to play because I didn’t want to sign [a new contract] either. I was frustrated at not playing. If I stayed and signed, maybe I could play now. But I’m quite happy because I have a lot of good memories of Hearts.”
For MacDonald, the thought of finally establishing himself as first-choice goalkeeper will warm the cockles. “I was training with Jamie for three-and-a-half years and he is a really good goalkeeper,” continued Balogh, speaking from his home in Hungary where he is still searching for a club. “He is going to be fine because he is good enough to play for Hearts. Later, when more young players come through, he can be a leader for them.
“Jamie is from Scotland and he grew up there all his life. I can understand why he wants to stay there. His family and friends are there so it was a good decision from him to sign his contract and stay with Hearts.”
MacDonald has spent almost a decade at Tynecastle playing second fiddle to some excellent goalkeepers, plus some embarrassing ones, and endured his own frustration as a result. The chance to prove his credentials over a sustained period of time will make the wait feel worthwhile.
He is now 25 and has been an understudy to seemingly every Hearts keeper throughout the last ten years. The excellent Craig Gordon was never going to be usurped as No.1, then came the veteran Steve Banks, followed by Balogh and Kello.
There was even a short time late in 2007 when MacDonald was left playing second fiddle whilst Eduardas Kurskis resembled a toddler chasing a balloon around the six-yard box at Ibrox. Thankfully, Kello arrived the following year and, after initially taking time to settle into Scottish football, the Slovakian has been in commanding form for the past two seasons.
Whether he dons the Hearts goalkeeping shirt again remains to be seen. Club officials believe that, unless Kello changes his stance, he is unlikely to be seen swinging on the Tynecastle crossbar again.
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Comments
There are 14 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
The Yak Farmer
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:04 PM10-11 BLANK THIS GUY.
big is the new small
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 05:57 PM#11 clearly you are unable to see the double standards at play so perhaps it is your grey matter that should be called into question. most folk know they're correct once folk start the name calling so thank you for confirming that.
HibbyHeapy1967
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 03:09 PMIf The BBC article is correct, http:www.bbc.co.uksport0football16928524 and they had agreed a transfer fee of £83k for a keeper in the £500l to £1m bracket, then Vlad must be really desperate for money. Tic Toc.
Jenks
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 03:09 PM#9 youre thick mate, no offence likesy.
Jenks
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 03:08 PM#8 because hes actively discussing moving to several clubs and not signing a new contract. Hardly being committeed is it. It makes sense to give next season number 1 game time. Deary me, its no that hard to work out. and as for teh hobos dreaming of our demise, KEEP DREAMING sad sacks ;)
big is the new small
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 02:56 PMoh the irony that Romanov talks about Kello's commitment to Hearts and yet he was desperate to punt him to a different country on the final day of the transfer window. hypocrite.
Hellhammer
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 02:14 PM#4 Of course Hearts are in the wrong. How can they accuse a guy who didn't want to leave in the transfer window of not being committed to the club? The players who have signed contract extensions and expect them to be honoured should be committed.
IMHO
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:42 PMOh dear, could Marian be the one who puts hearts of out business. Maybe Vlad was banking on his fee as being the one that pays the bill to HMRC to avoid the latest (is it third or fourth ?) winding up order. Is that what they mean by 'Committing themselves to the club'. Next they will be asking players to sell off their organs to raise funds, and naturally 'rewarding' them for it.
Gorgierules
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:34 PMAs long as he plays if called upon then fine, but he has lost his spot in the team and now must wait for his chance behind MacDonald and Ridgers.
Jenks
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:03 PMKello sees his future away from Hearts next season and whilst hes a good keeper I can see the sense in playing next seasons number 1. No problem with it whatsoever.
MrJaffa
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:45 PM#1 I agree Kello has done nothing wrong....... however, in my opinion, with the exception that it was done at short notice, Hearts have done nothing wrong either. If a club choose to play players who are committed to the club ahead of a player who wishes to leave......then that is there perogative and I have no problem with a stance like that. Its the last minute nature of decisions such as these that frustrate me.
Hen Broon
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:44 PM#reincarnated....more than VLAD done before....JJ with Ritchie.....Celtic with Bobby Balde......he was on a long term kings ransom & Celtic put him into excile for about 2 seasons. Personally I am in 100% agreement & would prefer to see Jamie MacD in goals. Totally agree KELLO has done nothing wrong & I wish him all the best as he gave nothing less than 100% to HEARTS(his tribute to Cruickie brought tears to my eyes). Who can blame him for seeking a more financially secure position than VLADS Hearts?
mrcrisps
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:43 PMComment removed by moderator
reincarnated
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:32 PMKello has done nothing wrong. He's perfectly entitled to turn down a move to Vienna or anywhere else. He is still under contract. As the learned author says, Vlad has done this sort of thing before. You can't say he's not consistent.
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