THE JAM STARTS
Berra: It’s time to get our season up and running even if Tynecastle isn’t
CHRISTOPHE BERRA has insisted Hearts’ rebuilding work is about more than just getting Tynecastle open for business.
As the Gorgie club fights to obtain safety clearance for their stadium, the Jambos skipper is working as hard as any labourer behind the scenes to lay the right foundations because the team is a work in progress as well.
Berra has been left frustrated at the start to the season.
He wanted more than an early exit from the Betfred League Cup and a tally of four wins from the opening 13 league matches.
But at the same time the club captain sees the bigger picture.
At the age of 32, the experienced international has been around long enough to understand you can’t just click fingers and expect everything to flow.
And that’s especially true at a time when Hearts lack a home base, have had a change of management, suffered brutal injury problems, while in the same period have attempted to blood some exciting new talents into the squad.
But Berra can see the light. The stadium, hold-up or not, is almost done, experienced players are returning to the fold and the kids have gained valuable experience which is improving them.
Now it’s time to get it going and he said: “We need to kick on and move forward. We have had a few injuries in midfield and that has probably cost us.
“We’ve been relying on young boys. At the age of 16, it’s a big ask, especially at a club like Hearts if you are not winning.
“Young Harry Cochrane came in and did brilliantly. He’s only 16 and he’s a small guy and there are bigger and stronger players who might just bully him.
“That will be a great experience for him and he’ll only get better.
“But people don’t realise the Hearts fans can be very demanding and if you are not playing well, they’re not happy.
“Getting players back will be massive. Don Cowie came back in against Kilmarnock and made an impact, Arnaud Djoum is a big player for us.
“So to get these players back, it’s a bit of experience as well, a bit of muscle, a bit of know-how and physical presence.”
Like everyone connected with Hearts, Berra is hoping it’ll be back to home base on Sunday.
However, at this stage, the grand re-opening of Tynecastle has not yet been confirmed.
Hearts are anxiously hoping their safety certificate will be issued in time to host Partick Thistle but there is a danger it might not happen with the necessary paperwork yet to be stamped.
A second delay meant the defeat by Kilmarnock earlier this month also had to be held at Murrayfield and Berra says that, although a return to Tynecastle will bring its own pressures, it will also put stresses and strain on the opposition.
He said: “Our last game against Kilmarnock brought a disappointing result. It’s a harsh learning curve and getting back to Tynecastle will bring a lot of pressure on us as well.
“But I think everyone will be happy, it’s home comforts.
“It will be more intimidating for other sides and when we’re on top and scoring goals it will be a better atmosphere.
“Murrayfield is a great stadium, don’t get me wrong, it’s brilliant.
“But the atmosphere is not as good, that’s what Tynecastle gives you.”