Hearts boss challenges Arvydas Novikovas to stay on form

The Lithuanian scored his team’s second goal of the afternoon with a spectacular 25-yard drive and is in fine form going into this evening’s Scottish Communities League Cup tie with Livingston. McGlynn is eager to see Novikovas reproduce his performance at Tannadice on a more regular basis. The 21-year-old has shown his undoubted talent only in flashes since debuting for Hearts over three years ago, and the manager today urged him to continue his current rich vein of form to ensure he stays in the team.

“We are looking for him to do what he did on Saturday more often,” said McGlynn. “We know he has the  talent, it’s about getting him to  produce it on a consistent basis. He took his goal extremely well and we all know he has that kind of thing in his locker. We’d like to see more of what he can do.

“I thought Arvydas played really well against Dundee United. In fact, our entire midfield played well and that contributed to us getting the result in the end.” Livingston travel to Tynecastle this evening to face what will be the strongest Hearts team McGlynn can field, with the manager determined not to treat the League Cup as anything other than the chance to win a major trophy. “It’s a chance to reach the quarter-finals and that’s something we want to take. Our focus is on nothing other than winning the game,” he stressed.

Andy Webster will again miss the match through injury but McGlynn has no other injury concerns.