Temps puts heat on Driver at Hearts

DAVID Templeton can name a host of reasons why he must continue scoring goals for Hearts. Personal enjoyment and public adulation are high on the list, but his main motivation is to keep the returning Andy Driver at bay and repay manager Jim Jefferies' faith.

A raking 20-yarder at Hamilton and a more composed finish against Dundee United accorded Templeton two goals in four appearances prior to the international break. The interval which arrived just when the winger was thriving at first-team level, so he has good cause to curse the interruption.

Quite simply, he must maintain the scoring streak to ensure Driver does not dislodge him from the team once fully fit. Concurrently he wants to reward Jefferies for showing enough conviction to start him in every match to date this season, ahead of the similarly promising Arvydas Novikovas.

"Obviously it's great to score goals but I'd always take three points over scoring," said the 21-year-old, who is equally capable of scoring and creating. "I enjoy both, I don't have a favourite. I'm pleased to have got a couple of goals so far this year because it's always a great feeling putting the ball in the net. Hopefully it continues. I'm trying to get as many as I can this season to keep myself in the team. If I score it gives the gaffer a harder choice when Driver comes back, so I want to continue the way I've been going so far.

"I wasn't sure if I would start the season in the team because a couple of wingers did well in pre-season. Arvydas did really well but thankfully the gaffer chose me. I want to get as many goals as I can to pay him back.

"When you're playing and you score a couple of goals your confidence just soars. If I score a couple more then it will go even higher. There's definitely more to come from me because I haven't played my greatest games. I've only done well in stages, ten minutes here and there. I'm looking for consistency this year.

"Being a winger, I seem to get a lot of chances. The ball seems to fall to me in the box quite often so I want to take more of those chances this season. The manager has said I've been doing well. He said the goal against Hamilton is what he wants from me, cutting in and taking shots. It's good to know he's happy."

Indeed, it is no mean feat pleasing Jefferies. The manager's demands since returning to Tynecastle in January have taken some players by surprise, but his penchant for exciting wide players suits Templeton perfectly.

"Being a winger, the gaffer always tells me to go at the full-back in the final third. He wants me to always beat my man and get a cross in or have a shot at goal. For me, it's great, especially with Kevin Kyle there. If I can't get past my marker I know I can put the ball into the box and most of the time he'll be there.

"Suso did all the hard work for me against United. I managed to make a run and I didn't think he'd seen me but played a great through ball. Actually, it wasn't the greatest of touches I took at first but the ball rolled in front of the defender so he either had to let me go or bring me down. Thankfully he let me go and I went on to score.

"I've done okay in the first few games and scored a couple of times, that always helps your relationship with fans. I hope they keep supporting me and giving me confidence. I wanted to keep going but then came the international break. When we get back against Celtic we should be able to pick things up again."

The trip to Glasgow on Saturday offers a thorough examination of Hearts' credentials. Celtic have recorded 11 consecutive SPL victories since Neil Lennon replaced Tony Mowbray as manager in March and are playing with significant momentum despite last month's calamitous European exit.

After three league games and one Co-operative Cup outing this season, Hearts are unbeaten with two wins and two draws. Templeton believes they could harbour the potential to challenge the Old Firm, a prospect which may be clearer by 4.45pm on Saturday.

"I think with the squad we have we could look for more than third place. Once we get Driver and Lee Wallace back, two of our most influential players, and with Kevin Kyle match fit we'll have a great squad," he continued.

"We will now see how we can do against the Old Firm. If we do okay then there's no reason we can't challenge them. Celtic is a big test going to Parkhead. We still want to play attacking football. I think we have a good enough team to end Celtic's winning run."