Slim hopes Hearts will bolster backline

THE collapse of Zander Diamond's transfer to Tynecastle prompted rejoicing from factions of Hearts fans. The notion of the Aberdeen centre-back at Hearts certainly sat uncomfortably with some. However, the decision to withdraw from negotiations still leaves the club seeking to fill a defensive void.

With only Andy Webster and Marius Zaliukas as established centre-backs following the departure of Ismael Bouzid, Hearts are slightly short on experienced cover in that position. They have already recruited striker John Sutton, midfielders Jamie Hamill and Mehdi Taouil plus left-back Danny Grainger, all on freedom of contract. Dave McPherson, the club's former defender, admitted today that he expects another signing to reinforce the back line.

Current deputees for Webster and Zaliukas include Darren Barr, Adrian Mrowiec, Eggert Jonsson, Ryan McGowan and Lee Wallace. Barr lacked conviction during the early part of his first season at Tynecastle before suffering a hernia injury, and he will be looking to prove himself in the forthcoming campaign. Mrowiec works best in a combative midfield role while Jonsson is mostly utilised at full-back but, similar to Wallace, can operate competently in the centre when required. McGowan, a player McPherson represents as an agent, only properly established himself in the first-team squad during the second half of last season and needs more SPL experience.

The courting of Diamond was intended to provide Hearts with ready-made and natural competition for the centre-back position from a player with over 200 competitive appearances at the top level. At 26 and out of contract at Aberdeen, he also represented good business until medical scans were questioned by Hearts and the move fell through. McPherson believes his former club will still fill the squad place earmarked for Diamond.

"I think Hearts need another defender. It was proved last year with the number of suspensions and injuries they had that they need a bit of experience," he said. "They have a couple of young players they are hoping to bring through and Ryan McGowan, for example, did particularly well towards the end of the season. He's on the fringes, but you can't beat experience when you are trying to compete at a high level. I don't think there's a great deal of quality going about at the moment so the players Hearts have picked up show they have been very shrewd.

"Hearts could do with somebody initially to cover central defence but who has the potential to go on and take over from Webster or Zaliukas? There was talk of Zaliukas being sold last season, Webster has been a bit injury-prone throughout his career, so there's an opportunity there. If I was a young player, I would see that as a great chance to establish myself.

"It's down to the players, if you get an opportunity you need to take it. I think there are fantastic opportunities for young players these days to establish themselves, and not just at Hearts but at every club. It's down to the individual. It doesn't matter if Zaliukas is doing well, if he's the captain or whatever. I would still see myself as being good enough to replace him. Whoever has your position, you need to believe you are capable of taking over."

McPherson's appetite for youth doesn't mask his appreciation of experience, having played alongside some of the finest defenders ever to grace Tynecastle in modern times. He can count the likes of Craig Levein, David Weir and Pasquale Bruno as former team-mates and played in squads where seasoned campaigners such as Stephen Frail and Tosh McKinlay arrived to establish themselves as mainstays in the back line.

"Knowledge of the SPL is important," said McPherson. "If you get thrown in to the first team in the SPL you can be a little bit shellshocked because the game is a lot faster. It's completely different for an under-19 player moving to first-team level and personally I think it's too big a gap. That's why it's important players go out on loan. Younger players can also be brought in and developed. Ryan Stevenson is an example. He started last season a bit shaky but finished a lot stronger."

Who might step in remains a pertinent question. Hearts' have been Scotland's clever club this close season with transfer dealings that cost the grand total of nothing, but which have supplemented the squad with four highly-rated players. Like every other non-Old Firm club, they would prefer to avoid playing transfer fees. Mihael Kovacevic and Tim van der Meulen are out of contract after leaving Dundee United, while Kilmarnock have yet to decide whether Ryan O'Leary and Manuel Pascali will be given new deals.

If Hearts are looking south, then England's Championship could be a source of useful talent available for free if personal terms are not excessive.

"Ideally you would get an out-and-out centre-back but I think modern players are more adaptable," said McPherson. "The top players are always going to go for money but you are looking for value and someone who is a centre-back but who can maybe also play elsewhere."