Jason backs swift change as Hearts look to plug gap in defence

MARIUS ZALIUKAS is out of commission due to a contract dispute, Lee Wallace is injured until January and Hearts have just shipped three goals to Celtic. For anyone wishing to establish themselves in defence at Tynecastle, the time is now.

Sympathy over Wallace's knee ligament injury and Zaliukas' personal issues should not dilute the desire to take advantage. As Jason Thomson says, football is a "dog eat dog world".

Both Thomsons, Jason and Craig, are vying for the right-back berth occupied by Darren Barr at Celtic Park on Saturday. Barr can also deputise for Zaliukas at centre-back while Jason Thomson has operated at left-back on occasions.

For Jason especially, the principal task would appear to be convincing manager Jim Jefferies that he merits a first-team place. The 23-year-old started the season's opening match against St Johnstone in his favoured right-back spot but has not been seen since. To say he is frustrated would be an understatement.

Soulless closed-door matches at Riccarton maintain the player's physical fitness, although not his spirit. He has seen enough of such fixtures already. Whilst performing to no audience in a non-competitive environment, he must remain mindful that within days he may be called upon for first-team duty when the stakes are infinitely higher.

The difference in intensity is stark, but he would dearly love the opportunity as Jefferies ponders how to compensate for losing Zaliukas and Wallace, pictured below.

"I was thinking that, if we keep performing well, then there might be a suspension or an injury. That might be the only way you're going to get back in the team," said Jason Thomson.

"You wouldn't wish that on anyone. It happens in football and it is like a dog-eat-dog world. If there's an injury to your team-mate you need to go and take advantage.

"You go out and give 100 per cent every day but maybe you'll go out and push that little bit more when you're trying to impress the manager. When you're playing every week you can relax slightly but when you aren't involved you want to push and get back into the side.

"I've been playing in the closed-door games which give myself and a few of the boys a run-out. You need that when you aren't getting a game on a Saturday. If you are called upon to play for the first team then you need to be ready. I want to keep my fitness levels up because I had a few issues with fitness and injuries last season. They've cleared up now so I want to stay fit.

"Lockie has touched on it in the dressing-room about the closed-door games. He said he's been there himself and it's hard to get motivated, but you need to do it for yourself. If you're giving 100 per cent in these matches and the manager is watching then he'll notice. That will help you when he needs someone to come into the team.

"I've done it plenty times. I've played closed-door games and a few days later I'm at Tynecastle or Ibrox in front of thousands. You need to be able to deal with that and cope in these situations. Lockie has explained about having the right attitude. If you don't have the right attitude you aren't going to play at this club under the gaffer."

Zaliukas' situation could be interpreted as Hearts' cutting off their nose to spite their face. The Lithuanian is on loan at Tynecastle from FBK Kaunas until December but has requested "English Premier League" wages to sign a permanent contract. Hearts' policy, as demonstrated with Andy Webster and Jose Goncalves amongst others, is to freeze the player out of first-team affairs.

Squad depth is better now than even 12 months ago, thus Thomson still found himself an unused substitute at Parkhead as Eggert Jonsson and Ruben Palazuelos deputised for Zaliukas and Wallace respectively.

"I started the season and thought I did okay, but the manager changed the team for the Hamilton game," he continued. "He spoke to me about why he did it and what his reasons were. We won 4-0 that day so it's hard for him to change it after that. I'll just keep the head down and get on with it.

"A few things changed for the Elgin game and the Dundee United game but it's not like we've had a poor start to the season. Overall we've been playing well and that makes it harder to get into the team. The manager wanted options, he said that when he came in. He was after a big squad with competition for positions.

"That makes everyone work harder and train harder. A few folk can play right back, same as centre midfield. It's hard to get into the team now if you aren't in it."

Might he consider asking for a loan move of his own if his fortunes do not improve? "I'll wait and see. Teams in the lower divisions can get an emergency loan just now but I'm not in any rush. I'll just see how things pan out and look at my position again at Christmas.

"Last season, I was in and out of the team through injury so it's hard to then go to the manager and say you want a game when you aren't properly fit. I'm injury-free now, I just need to get the head down and work hard to force my way in. If the team keeps performing and winning it's difficult to go and knock on the manager's door asking for a game.

"As a defender you look at the fact that (before Saturday] we had only lost two goals, plus we're scoring more than we were last season.

"I don't think you'll get anyone resting on laurels. With the amount of players we've got and the way the manager and Billy are, if you aren't giving 100 per cent and performing, they won't be scared to change it."

For now, Thomson must cling to hope that a change is just around the corner.