Hearts going back to Black

IT isn't mere coincidence that Hearts' recent stutter during their most consistent season for years occurred whilst their midfielder Ian Black was suspended. A player in optimum form, he was precluded from the goalless draw at Pittodrie and Saturday's home defeat by Kilmarnock by a two-game SFA ban. His influence was sadly missed on both occasions.

Black is virtually certain to return to Hearts' starting XI at Tannadice on Wednesday with the suspension now complete. At 25, he is playing the finest football of his career and was a linchpin of a successful autumn and winter period which took Hearts within touching distance of the SPL summit.

His absence against Aberdeen and Kilmarnock deprived the team of vital drive and dynamism, allied to Ruben Palazuelos also being suspended. Hearts have lost only six times with Black on the field this season, an outstanding ratio from 25 appearances. He will certainly be welcomed back warmly against Dundee United.

"It's been unbelievable the change in him," said Jimmy Sandison, the former Hearts midfielder. "Last year and the year before it looked, at times, like the switch to Hearts (from Inverness) was probably too much for him in a sense.

"There were all sorts of questions being asked but I think Blackie's been one of our most consistent players this year. His work rate is fantastic and I've seen him in the hospitality suites getting man-of-the-match awards every second week. That tells you how good he is.

"He doesn't have a great stature because he isn't a tall player in the middle of the park, but he puts himself about. I think that's how he earns a bit of respect. A lot of teams know that you aren't going to get five minutes playing against Ian Black. He's going to get in about you, he's got two really decent feet and he passes the ball very well. Combine all of that and it's made him a top performer for two or three months before his suspension. I listen to his comments when he's speaking to the fans at the hospitality functions after games. He keeps saying that he's trying to develop and that the management team are giving him confidence. They are wanting him on the ball and giving him encouragement to play passes. He's been rejuvenated and I'm really pleased for him.

"You would like to think he will continue developing.

"It's a good combination with him and Palazuelos as two sitting midfielders. Both of them can play.

"No disrespect to Adrian Mrowiec, but he's a very defensive midfielder. If you want two defensive types who can play as well, Black and Palazuelos can use both feet, pick a pass and play it. They want to get involved all the time and contribute going forward.

"I compare Mrowiec to Neil Berry. He did a very similar job when I was at Hearts, just broke up play and gave it to somebody else and you do need somebody like that. But Blackie is playing out of his skin at the moment and there's no reason why it shouldn't continue. Jim Jefferies and Billy Brown rave about him, as does Gary Locke. I'm looking forward to him coming back in."

Throughout his career, Black has earned a reputation for uncompromising tenacity. He recently spoke of being unperturbed if some perceive him as "dirty", and his approach has been harnessed somewhat to mould him into an effective central midfielder.

The petulance which characterised his younger days has been largely eradicated despite some wishing to chastise him for tackles on Rangers' Nikica Jelavic and Celtic's Paddy McCourt this season.

There is some evidence of a calmer, more mature approach, witness last season's dressing room assault by Christian Nade and a blatant elbow to the head by Hibernian's Ian Murray on New Year's Day. Black did not retaliate on either occasion. The energy and aggression remains but is now complemented by impressive vision and awareness which can inspire Hearts to overcome the disappointment of losing last weekend.

"It will be a boost to the team having him back because you are only as good as your last game," continued Sandison. "His suspension is finished so you would think he will come straight back into the team.

"The guys who have had an opportunity to stake their claim, with the greatest respect, haven't done that. It would be an easy change for the manager. Any manager worth their weight would want to make changes anyway given the run Hearts were on.

"I thought it was a poor performance at Aberdeen, Saturday became poor late on although I thought the first half was improved from Aberdeen.

"It looks like the manager is going to have to make some changes and it makes it easy in a sense. You bring the guys in who have been in form and unlucky to miss out through suspension.

"That may just lift the heads again and get us back on the good run which has come off the rails a wee bit.

"The team before the suspensions kicked in had a bit of continuity. They were playing decent football and getting good results but it's that time of the season when suspensions and injuries come along and they affect every team in the league. That's probably been a significant factor in the last couple of results for Hearts.

"The guys who have come in are decent players but Black and Palazuelos were in there every week and were high on confidence. It's hard to get that when you've just come into the side. I felt for the players on Saturday because it was certainly an improved performance compared to Aberdeen, but Kilmarnock played some fabulous football. We were in the game but a couple of real killer blows knocked our confidence.

"Something needs to be done in that midfield for next week. Ian Black has been playing particularly well. Palazuelos has been great in that area too. It's easy to say we are missing these guys but when their return can only be of benefit to Hearts."