Hearts boss' pep talk was key to Scotland recall, insists Kyle

KEVIN Kyle today explained how a pep talk from Hearts manager Jim Jefferies has reinvigorated him and inspired his recall to the Scottish national team.

The striker heads to Pittodrie tomorrow evening on international duty seeking to banish the memory of his last encounter with the Faroe Islands, a dispiriting 2-2 draw in Toftir in 2002. His confidence is high after scoring a penalty in Hearts' 2-0 victory over St Johnstone at the weekend, a fifth win in six outings which propelled the Edinburgh club to third in the SPL.

Kyle delivered a fine performance against Hibs at Easter Road last weekend, followed up by bustling displays against Celtic and St Johnstone. Yet, without a quiet word from Jefferies one morning at Riccarton during the lead-up to the Edinburgh derby, he might have found himself relegated to the substitutes' bench.

"The gaffer had a word with me before the game against Hibs and I was waiting for him to give me the bad news," said Kyle.

"He dragged me into a changing room and asked me: 'Do you think I should play you on Sunday?' I said: 'Of course you should – I'm the best player you've got here.' And that was it, he played me. I could tell from the way he spoke that he felt he needed more from me and since then I have worked my socks off."

Kyle has a chance for redemption for the worst experience of his professional career when Scotland meet the Faroe Islands in a friendly tomorrow night. "My worst moment in football came against the Faroes eight years ago (in a 2-2 draw] so I would like the chance to try and put that right," he continued. "I'm looking forward to it. Craig Levein is giving people a chance to show what they can do and hopefully I'll catch his eye.

"I have had many a sleepless night over that game. I don't think it was as much the game itself as the stick I took afterwards. I was only 21 and I hadn't played much for Sunderland.

"I have scored the last couple of times I have gone to Pittodrie so I hope to make it three in a row."

Meanwhile, Hearts defender Ismael Bouzid, is keen to split the Old Firm this season before defecting south to the English Premier League. The Algerian is out of contract in June and said his ambition is to play south of the border.

"It has always been my dream to play in England," said Bouzid. "If Hearts finish in the top three maybe English clubs will come to watch me. But I think we can end up in the top two."