Ismael Bouzid's joy at World Cup play-off glory – now he wants to play his way into Algerian squad for South Africa

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 10:14

WHILE the Scottish players in the Hearts dressing-room don't have much to shout about at the moment when it comes to international football, two of their team-mates were sporting smiles as wide as Princes Street when they reported for training at the team's Riccarton base yesterday.

Ismael Bouzid in action for Hearts against Celtic

Jose Goncalves and Ismael Bouzid were both on a high after watching Portugal and Algeria respectively clinch their places in next summer's World Cup Finals on Wednesday night, giving them incentives to try and force their way into the squads that will be heading to South Africa.

While Portugal were beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 over two legs to leave Goncalves happy, Bouzid admitted his nails had almost been bitten away as the Algerians booked their place with a 1-0 victory over Egypt in a one-off game in neutral Khartoum.

The two teams had finished locked together at the top of Group C in the African qualifying – the Egyptians had won 2-0 in Cairo last Saturday to force the play-off – and wild scenes of celebration were sparked throughout Algeria after a stunning first-half strike from defender Antar Yahya settled the match.

Algeria will be appearing in the World Cup Finals for the third time – they qualified in 1982 and 1986 – and Bouzid, an Algerian international despite being born in France, is determined to be on the plane that will take the squad to South Africa next summer for football's biggest showcase.

"I am very happy," he said, oblivious seemingly to the fact it was tipping down outside and he was about to head out for a training session ahead of tomorrow's Clydebank Bank SPL clash against St Johnstone at Tynecastle.

"I watched the game and it was a very good match. It was being shown on TV all over the country, and the feeling of pressure was unbelievable, especially after Egypt had forced the play-off by scoring in the last minute.

"After the game was finished, it was very good for the country and for the team. We have waited (a long time] for this and it is very nice that the team are going to the finals in South Africa."

As the celebrations got into full swing back in his homeland, Bouzid's phone became red hot as he made and received an endless stream of texts and phone calls.

"I sent too many texts and made too many phone calls," he smiled. "I phoned my friend, Karim Matmour (he came on as a second-half substitute in the game] and also Madjid Bougherra (the Rangers defender played the full match]. They were very happy, obviously, and it really is great for the whole country that the team is going to the World Cup Finals again."

Bouzid, whose performances since arriving at Tynecastle in the summer have been one of the plus points for Hearts in a disappointing season to date, has seven full caps to his name and says he knows exactly what is required to catch the eye of the Algerian coach, Rabah Saadane, between now and next summer.

"When I was in Turkey, the coach didn't watch many games there – I don't know why," said the 26-year-old. "That is one of the reasons I moved to a different country in Europe and I will be trying the best to get back in the national team.

"To do so, I need to produce some big performances for my club. I want to win a trophy with Heart of Midlothian and to see the team climb up the league table.

"I will be trying my best for this. I will be training hard and this is my objective for the next six or seven months.

"It is down to me. If I play well and do well with Hearts, I know he (the Algerian coach] will watch me. And, for this, I have a very big motivation. I want to do good work with my club."

While he admits that things have not gone as well for Hearts so far this season in the league as anyone would have liked, Bouzid insists there is plenty time for them to scale the table and believes the visit of St Johnstone is the perfect opportunity for the Gorgie club to lay down their mark for the rest of the season.

"There is a possibility to win a Cup and, if we can build up our confidence, I am sure we can do better in the league," he said.

"For me, this (tomorrow's match] it is very important game. For me, this game is like a Cup tie. We need the three points because we lost too many points in the first quarter of the season, ending up with just a point in too many matches.

"This is a game that can get us going in the league – this is the objective for us in this game.

"I think we will have gained confidence from Hibs game. We created possibilities to score in that game and we must take confidence.

"We have good players and, if we can score one or maybe one or two goals, then we will come back. I am positive about that.

"St Johnstone are a good team. I have respect for them, as I do with every team in Scotland we play against.

"Their manager has good players. They play a lot of long ball so we must play different. We have to try and play some good football against them."

Going into the latest international break, Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo said he felt Bouzid was assuming too much responsibility in matches and is looking for the player to do the simple things first and foremost at the heart of his defence.

According to Bouzid, who has had spells with reputable European clubs such as Metz, Kaiserslautern and Galatasaray, if that's the case then he is probably like his manager, as his desire to do well makes him try to sort out everything on his own.

"While I am still quite new in the club, I already know that Csaba is a very good manager," said Bouzid. "It is not very easy for him. He tries to do best. He tries to make all the problems clear away. He is very motivated to do the best he can.

"I want to try and give my best back to him. He was the big coach (Manager of the Year] last season and I only have respect for him."

As the celebrations continue back in Algeria, Bouzid will still be sporting that smile when he runs out at Tynecastle tomorrow lunchtime. And, as he bids to earn that place in the World Cup Final, it's Hearts who look as though they might just benefit.

"At the moment the most important thing for me is how my club is doing," he said. "And I know that we can do something at Heart of Midlothian – all we need to show is some consistency."