Football: Tynecastle plot downfall of champions

TYNECASTLE have the opportunity to do the double over Premier League leaders Spartans when they meet at Fernieside tomorrow, having already beaten the current champions 2-0 on their own Ainslie Park in the first match of the season.

A victory for Tynecastle would keep them in with an outside chance of lifting the title for the first time in their history as they would then trail Spartans by ten points but, crucially, still have two games in hand.

"The incentive is there for us to beat Spartans tomorrow although we are not thinking about winning championships," stressed Tynecastle manager, Murray Balloch. "We are just enjoying what we are doing and we are not putting any pressure whatsoever on any of our players."

In the first meeting back on 29 August, a Wayne Sproule double earned Tynecastle their win, a result of which Balloch said: "We gave Spartans respect, but not too much."

It is highly likely his side will take the same approach tomorrow. Tynecastle did not have a game last Saturday because of a flooded pitch at Fernieside but Balloch arranged a midweek friendly against Junior outfit Arniston Rangers and, although Tynecastle won 4-1, the manager insisted that the scoreline was not important.

"It was essential to get some of our players match-fit, so it was a good workout because we were able to introduce our new signing, Dougie Blackley, to the rest of the players," said Balloch.

"Dougie had been with Tranent Juniors after leaving Lothian Thistle and when we heard that he might be available we made some inquiries and although we believe that other clubs were interested he signed for Tynecastle. We gave him a run-out against Arniston and from the first minute he dictated play and his talking was brilliant.

"Everybody in our squad certainly got to know Dougie because he bawled and shouted at them and demanded the ball in his central midfield role. His signing has given all the other players a lift and there is a wee buzz about the dressing-room."

Turning his attention to tomorrow's clash Balloch added: "We work hard on our shape and keeping possession of the ball so to beat us Spartans will have to be at their best. We know that on their day Spartans are capable of beating any team.

"Spartans have good players like Dan Gerrard at the back, Alex King in midfield and up front Keith McLeod can score goals. I will be explaining to my players that they cannot turn up and expect things to happen – they must make them happen."

Robbie Arthur is still unavailable for Tynecastle but otherwise they have a full squad to choose from.

Meanwhile, in the Spartans camp, joint manager Mike Lawson reflected on last Saturday's 3-1 away win at Selkirk when he said: "Selkirk are more street-wise this season and they did not push too high up the park and get caught square. They were more content to hit us on the break so we had a lot of the ball.

"We did not have Stewart Fowlie and we gave starts to Daniel O'Donnell and Omar Kader. We don't have a big pool and every one of our players is capable of starting so we try to keep them all match-fit."

Spartans have no injury or suspension worries therefore Lawson and his co-manager Sam Lynch are still considering their team selection for tomorrow. "I stuck the match reports from our 2-0 defeat from Tynecastle and their recent 5-1 win against Edinburgh City on the dressing-room wall at training on Tuesday night. The purpose was to show how we had let ourselves down in that first game and secondly to show what a good side Tynecastle are. We deserved to be beaten in that first game and tomorrow we have to show Tynecastle what Spartans are really like.

"I still regard Tynecastle as being in contention for the league title and we are well aware that they play at a high tempo with ability and with a good attitude. It is a huge game and because of that there will be an added edge.

"They have good players, including Wayne Sproule, who is scoring goals for fun, and Eddie Mearns, who looks very good in midfield."

Tomorrow's match has a 2.30pm kick off.