Frail: Hearts need killer touch

Published on Tuesday 19 February 2008 09:19

HEARTS interim manager Stephen Frail today insisted his side must become more ruthless in front of goal if they are to secure a place in the Scottish Premier League's top six.

Poor finishing cost the Tynecastle side dear at Parkhead on Saturday as they passed up a string of chances, allowing Gordon Strachan's side to record a 3-0 victory.

With points at a premium for the Jambos, who currently sit in ninth place, Frail conceded that there is a fine line between success and failure – and that it could all rest on how his strikers perform in the remaining games of the season.

There are just seven games left before the SPL splits and the Hearts boss wants his players to rediscover their cutting edge to fire them back up the table.

Frail said: "We felt capable of going to Parkhead and getting something from the game but our finishing let us down and we need to make sure that we improve on that.

"We controlled the game for long periods without actually hurting them so we have to find that cutting edge again. And that's something we've got to look at.

"We will need to work on the finishing because we've got a lot of big games coming up over the next couple of months and it's important that we take our chances when they come along.

"I thought that we had scored when Andrius Velicka was through on goal but when I watched it back on television I didn't realise he was so wide.

"We had another when Andrew Driver could maybe have taken another touch before having a go. They maybe weren't clear-cut chances, but they were decent chances and they're the kind of things that we need to be going into the back of the net right now."

While Frail is looking for improvement from his frontmen, he was satisfied with the contribution of midfield men Ruben Palazuelos and Eggert Jonsson who were stationed in the centre of the park in the absence of the injured Michael Stewart.

Stewart, who missed out with a hamstring strain, is hoping to be involved against Motherwell at Fir Park this weekend, but Frail added: "I was pleased with the boys in the middle, Eggert came in, it was his first start at Parkhead and did reasonably well for us, I thought.

"It's all experience for them, and Ruben also played well.

"He has done a good job for us since signing in the summer and I thought that on Saturday he showed some good touches, good close control and passing and he very rarely gave the ball away."

Meanwhile, Bruno Aguiar has handed Hearts another boost by returning to training this week after a lengthy lay-off with an ankle injury.

The Portuguese midfielder has not featured in a single game this season after taking a knock against Rangers last April.

Former Benfica player Aguiar had a spell recuperating back in Portugal but returned to training at Riccarton with the rest of his team-mates this week and Frail added: "Bruno is getting closer.

"He warmed up with us this week and did the passing routine.

"It's great to see him back on the training ground and hopefully it won't be too long before he's fit enough for a few reserve games to give us the bit of extra competition for places."