MacDonald wishes for longer season as he looks to be Hearts' No. 1

HE is edging gradually nearer his stated aim, although don't expect a smile of satisfaction from Jamie MacDonald. For the Hearts goalkeeper, the season's end is most depressing. Beyond that there is the little matter of the most critical campaign of his career to date.

MacDonald is amidst his longest sequence of first-team appearances for Hearts, which reaches eight against Celtic this weekend. Counterparts Marian Kello and Janos Balogh are unavailable through injury and MacDonald has looked both steady and assured in their place. His claims to the No.1 position stretch back to the days of Craig Gordon when, as a teenager, he seemed a more than capable understudy.

Through the Hearts youth academy, reserves, two loan spells at Queen of the South and several sporadic top-team outings, he continually endeavoured to prove his credentials as first choice.

And many at Riccarton rate him higher than any other goalkeeper presently on Hearts' payroll, although MacDonald has had trouble convincing a succession of managers likewise.

At 24, he has just produced his most consistent spell of form at SPL level and believes it offers evidence that he can hack it amongst the big boys. The major test of that theory comes later this summer when Jim Jefferies, the Hearts manager, must select his first-choice goalkeeper for season 2010/11.

"It will definitely be my biggest season at Hearts because I'm looking to press for the No.1 jersey. It could become a make-or-break season for me," said MacDonald. "If I'm first choice, playing well and staying in the team, then great because I'll have a future at Hearts. If it's not happening for me, well, I'll need to see what happens.

"It's difficult to say what would happen in that scenario because I'm in the team right now and everything is great. The manager is great, so I'm just waiting to see what happens next season. I'm enjoying playing just now."

The inference is he may look elsewhere should he find himself demoted, although MacDonald wisely did not issue any ultimatums. He is content to let his career progress naturally. To him, that means first-choice status sooner rather than later.

"This is the first time I've really had a good run at it in the Hearts team. It's just a shame it's coming to an end," he continued. "Hopefully I can put in another good performance on Sunday so I'm in the manager's mind for the start of next season.

"I feel I've done pretty well since I came back into the side. I wouldn't say there's been a game where I've been particularly disappointed in my performance. I'd say I've been pretty solid and that's all I can do. Now it's up to the manager. I feel I've done well enough but he will decide what happens for next season.

"I've just turned 24. I think I have enough experience now to say that I can be an established No.1. I've played 70-odd first-team games now including my loan spells at Queen of the South. It's not like I don't have the knowledge because I've played in plenty of big games. I feel I'm ready and more than capable of staying in the team and being the No.1 goalkeeper."

Kello's contractual agreement expires at the end of the season, after which he is obliged to return to the Lithuanian club FBK Kaunas. Jefferies was suitably impressed with the Slovakian before he fractured a wrist so it would be foolish to expect him not to remain at Tynecastle beyond the summer. Balogh's situation is rather more obscure. He also has a wrist complaint but has not been first-choice at Hearts since early December and it remains to be seen if he will willingly play second fiddle when fully fit.

"There isn't much between the three of us," admitted MacDonald. "Everyone has done pretty well when they've been given the chance so it's obviously a very hard decision for the manager.

"It's probably a very unusual situation. It's a great thing for the club to have three first-team goalkeepers. I don't think there are many clubs who could boast that. But, at the same time, it's very frustrating if you are one of those goalkeepers. You know when you lose your place it's going to be a while before you get in again.

"It's difficult but that's just the way football is. You know you're getting pushed all the time so you have to be at the top of your game, you can't rest on your laurels.

"For the person who ends up third choice, it depends if they want to stay and fight for their place and whether they think they will get a chance. I know myself from being third choice earlier in the season how difficult it is, but I always had belief in myself to come back in. I think it just depends on your personality.

"I know I have to work really hard once we're back for pre-season. There will obviously be pre-season games, which everyone will play a part in. I think it will be a case of trying to work hard and do well with whatever chances you get and then see what the manager's decision is."

With so much at stake next season, MacDonald more than anyone cannot afford to treat Sunday's game like an end-of-season affair. "You want to play in front of packed stadiums against the best teams to test your abilities. I've had plenty games against Rangers but this will be my first against Celtic. I'll look forward to it," he said. "It's the same for everybody in the team because we are all fighting for places next season at the end of the day. Wednesday was disappointing because we are now not involved in pushing for Europe on the last day of the season.

"For myself, I need to make sure I'm playing to the best of my ability to push for next year."