Hearts summer signing target Bryson warns of new threat

HEARTS signing target Craig Bryson today warned of the threat posed by Kilmarnock's Alexei Eremenko ahead of Sunday's meeting between the clubs at Tynecastle.

The Russian-born Finnish internationalist has quickly established himself as something of a talisman since arriving in Ayrshire in August on loan from the Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv.

Kilmarnock supporters have taken to him warmly and he will carry much of their hopes against an in-form Hearts side. Bryson, coveted by Hearts manager Jim Jefferies throughout the summer, believes the visionary midfielder is an unknown quantity for much of the SPL.

"He's a Finnish international player so he was always going to play at a decent standard," explained Bryson. "He's good in possession and he's done well for us since he signed. He's very comfortable on the ball, he's got a good touch, a lot of ability and he can take a good set-piece. He's just a good, all-round footballer. You can tell he's played at a high level."

Eremenko, 27, was born in Rostov-na-Donu in southern Russia but has represented Finland more than 40 times after attaining citizenship of the country in 2003. A former team-mate of Juho Makela from his time at HJK Helsinki, his positional sense and vision are what make him such an awkward opponent according to Bryson, pictured below.

"He passes the ball really well and he's settled in at Kilmarnock. He lives in Glasgow and he gets on great with the rest of the boys. Obviously, he knows the manager from Finland."

Mixu Paatelainen's signings since being appointed Kilmarnock manager in June have captured the imagination of the Ayrshire public, if not quite achieved the success intended. Eremenko aside, defenders Mohamadou Sissoko and Ben Gordon arrived on loan from Udinese and Chelsea respectively. The Finn has attempted to alter squad mentality and playing style by adopting a more patient, passing approach. Results have been inconsistent at best, however, and Kilmarnock head to Edinburgh third bottom of the SPL, just two points better off than St Mirren who lost 3-0 at Tynecastle last Saturday.

"Our performances suggest we should be higher up but we've been conceding bad goals," admitted Bryson. "On performances we should be up there, but we simply haven't been getting results. That makes Sunday tough for us, especially because Hearts are doing well."

"Big Kev (Kyle] is doing well there, it's going to be a hard day trying to stop him. He always has plenty to say for himself and I speak to him quite a lot. I got on well with him at Killie and I still keep in touch with him. We've got a few players of our own who can produce something special on Sunday and that's what we'll look to do. We play the game in a totally different way now. We're playing a different formation, trying to pass the ball all the time. It's just been totally different under Mixu compared to Jefferies and (Jimmy] Calderwood. Every manager has their own ideas on how they want the game played, this one is no different. He always wants the ball on the deck."

Bryson's future could be the subject of further speculation come January with Jefferies and Hearts still harbouring strong interest in the 23-year-old. He is contracted to Kilmarnock until 2012 but would be keen to work under Jefferies and Billy Brown again if given the opportunity.

Hearts submitted offers for Bryson during the summer transfer window but those were rejected by Michael Johnston, the Kilmarnock chairman. The player said he remains unperturbed by the attention ahead of the visit to Tynecastle.

"I feel fine. I'll go there and play the game as I normally would," he explained.

"I want to play well and then just see what happens in the future. Right now I play for Kilmarnock."