Hearts star Bouzid: My fate is in coach's hands

Published on Tuesday 1 December 2009 08:50

RABAH SAADANE isn't exactly well known in Scotland. Most football fans would reply with a proverbial "who?" when presented with his name.

But, for Ismael Bouzid, the Hearts defender, Saadane represents the man who will decide his World Cup fate as national coach of Algeria.

Today, in the wake of Saturday's passionate victory over Kilmarnock, Bouzid appealed to the 63-year-old to visit Edinburgh and see him in action at first hand.

The player has steadily improved since arriving at Tynecastle from Turkish club Ankaragucu in July and believes he is good enough to make what will be the first Algerian World Cup squad for 24 years.

What he craves is an opportunity to impress Saadane in the flesh having last been capped against Congo last year.

A controversial play-off victory over bitter rivals Egypt last month confirmed Algeria as World Cup finalists for the first time since 1986. Coincidentally, Saadane was in charge back then in one of his five spells as national coach of Les Fennecs (the Desert Foxes).

The recent success prompted parties with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and open-top bus parades through the capital city of Algiers.

However, Bouzid, who qualifies for the African nation through his father despite being born in France, watched from afar in Edinburgh.

The defender is not angry at his omission, more motivated to prove a point.

"The coach has not said why I am not there," said Bouzid.

"He said we have a lot of players and he is looking for stability in the team. That makes it more difficult to get in. But the coach has said the door is open, we have six months until the World Cup and I am not finished. In football you are never finished.

"I hope he comes to Scotland. I don't know if he can see Hearts games on TV, I hope he can and I hope the journalists there can help me. I want the coach to see my good performances.

"I don't know if he will come to Edinburgh to see me or not. For me it is simple – you must help your team in the league and then maybe you can go back to Algeria."

Hearts' fortunes between now and the end of the season will be intrinsically linked to Bouzid's World Cup ambitions.

The Tynecastle side effected a vital victory at Rugby Park, which it must be hoped can provide a turning point in a hitherto faltering campaign.

The player himself is growing into a more assured and accomplished defender with every passing week.

His brief trial as a striker now firmly in the past – and unlikely to be repeated – he has formed a convincing partnership with Jose Goncalves at centre-back.

Even changes of partner involving Marius Zaliukas and, on Saturday, Dawid Kucharski, have been taken in his stride. It is this sort of dependability he wishes to showcase to the veteran Saadane.

"I have spoken with him about the team, the journalists say I must come back and they write good articles about me. I wait every day. I can only do my best and see later what happens," explained Bouzid.

"I am frustrated that I did not go to the national team but this is a dream for me. We have not qualified for a World Cup for 24 years. For the whole country it is fantastic. I see the Algerian people so happy and this is very good for me in my heart.

"It is a fantastic achievement and I hope I can be back in the squad and be part of it.

My last game was last year against Congo. After that I was injured and then I was in Turkey and it was very difficult." Success with Hearts would go some way towards helping his cause. Bouzid is eyeing silverware this season with the date of the Co-operative Cup semi-final firmly circled on his calendar.

He also intends helping the club move into the top six in the SPL, fearing that domestic mediocrity could potentially harm his World Cup prospects.

"If you don't have good performances with your club, it is more difficult of course," he continued.

"At the moment I have big, big motivation. Firstly for my team because I know we are a good team and we have good players who can play nice football together. It's difficult right now but on Saturday we showed that we can do something.

"I have two big objectives: My first objective is to improve in the league and reach a cup final with Hearts.

"Algeria have good players in Europe and I need to be playing very well. The second motivation for me is to get back in the national team and go to South Africa next summer.

"I want to win with Heart of Midlothian and go back to the national team. I give my best, I work every day and that is all I can do."

That Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts manager, previously coached an African nation could be advantageous, according to Bouzid.

The Hungarian was in charge of Uganda for two years before defecting to Scotland, and his stock remains high across Africa. "Of course Csaba can help me. Every professional player can learn every day," said Bouzid. "Csaba is a good coach, he has good experience of Africa and he has helped me.

"I am here five months and every week I get more and more positive. I am learning every day."

There is much Rabah Saadane could learn by visiting Tynecastle ahead of next summer's World Cup finals. He already has Madjid Bougherra of Rangers as a shoe-in at centre-back.

Placing Ismael Bouzid alongside him would give Algeria a mean-looking central defence in South Africa.