Hearts midfielder Ruben Palazuelos happy to fill in for full-back Lee Wallace

IF it must be left-back, then left-back it shall be. Ruben Palazuelos can justifiably consider himself an adept central midfielder but if Hearts require him to deputise for the injured Lee Wallace between now and January he will not complain.

Discussions to secure the Northern Ireland internationalist Tony Capaldi on a short-term contract took place yesterday as Jim Jefferies, the Hearts manager, seeks cover for the left of his defence.

Wallace's posterior cruciate ligament tear will thankfully not require surgery but, ahead of this afternoon's engagement with Celtic in Glasgow, Jefferies had some decisions to make in the left-back department.

Palazuelos has played there before, while Eggert Jonsson did so most recently against Dundee United two weeks ago. Both are prepared to function out of position if necessary.

"These things happen in football. I hope Lee comes back as soon as possible," said the Spaniard. "The decision (on who plays left-back] is for the manager. I can play in this position because I played it before. I feel comfortable there because, when I have the ball, nobody presses me. I have space and it's not difficult for me to play there. When an opponent comes to me, a very fast player, it can be difficult.

"I played there against St Mirren at home when we won 1-0 and then I played there a couple of times after that. My position is midfield but I can play left-back. Adrian (Mrowiec], (Ian] Black, (Ryan] Stevenson and Eggert can all play centre midfield. Of course I prefer that position but I have a chance of playing left-back. I want to do well there.

"When I was younger I never played in this position. I played like a left winger and sometimes midfielder. I can play any position for the team."

Versatility can sometimes be a curse for a footballer, as Jonsson himself may attest. Palazuelos' composure on the ball as a natural left-footer may accord him the advantage over Jonsson for the left-back berth, thus freeing the Icelander to operate in central midfield.

Wherever he is deployed, Palazuelos has no cause to fear the visit to Glasgow's east end. He sampled some of European football's most cauldron-like venues as a player with the Greek club Aris Thessaloniki. The Karaiskakis stadium, home of Olympiakos, particularly stands out.

"I have played against Celtic and Rangers, I have played in Greece against Olympiakos and I have played in Spain against some good teams.

"Maybe Greece and against Olympiakos and Panathinaikos was the hardest places to go but you can play football there and win.

"Greece is more about the crazy fans. For a player, if you lose two or three games, you must stay at home all day."

Hostilities are not quite so intense in Glasgow. Palazuelos has emerged victorious from Celtic Park twice in five visits there, Hearts losing twice and drawing the other encounter. Such a record allows him a fair degree of confidence ahead of today's affair.

"Celtic are not like three or four years ago. Three or four years ago they were stronger," he said. "This happens at every club in every country because of money. We have a good chance to go there and get three points.

"Maybe before we would go there and take one point, but now we will attack and look for chances. I am a footballer player, it is my life. I am not scared about other players. If I play against Real Madrid or go anywhere, it is important to play football.

"I have some good memories of Celtic Park. We have played well there and scored goals. We will go there and attack and look for three points. I played in the game when Michael Stewart scored a penalty and we won 1-0, and I played when (Andrius] Velicka scored twice. Hearts have been there before and played good football and we can do this again."