HEART AND SOUL
He’ll still be doing stuff with players and keeping everybody focused CRAIG LEVEIN
CRAIG LEVEIN is looking to replace Christophe Berra in the Hearts defence but the crocked captain will still be doing a job for his manager off the pitch.
The centre-back will have an operation within the next 24 hours after tearing his hamstring in Saturday’s win against Celtic at Tynecastle, ruling him out of firstteam action for up to six months.
And Levein will draft in a defender on a season-long loan deal as cover.
The Jambos boss said: “I’m working on it but I don’t expect anybody in by the weekend.
“Even if Christophe comes back in six months it takes time to get back up to speed.
“I’m not going to get another Christophe so I have to be quite specific about what I want. We won’t miss him off the field because he’ll still be here doing stuff with the players and keeping everybody focused.
“On the field he will be a huge loss but he’ll be in and around the place anyway.
“He’s not going to be sitting at home. His leadership qualities off the field will still be there.
“He’s been in every day since Saturday. If you know anything about
the hamstring it starts as one tendon attached to the pelvis then it splits. Before the point where it splits it’s torn. So you can imagine it’s quite thick and there is a fair amount of force that has caused the injury.
“He’ll be getting an operation on it within the next 24 hours and he will then need to get it stitched back together and there’s a long process of rehab involved after that.
“I’ve had Christophe in my thoughts since it happened. “He’s not had a serious injury in his whole career. I signed him for Hearts as a 16 year-old way back when I had black hair!
“I’ve had a long relationship with him. We go back a long way and he is quite stoical and philosophical about the whole thing. I feel for him though.”
Levein revealed he hasn’t yet made up his mind who will fill the captaincy void in Berra’s absence. Although the former Scotland boss reckons he is spoiled for choice now because he has a whole group of leaders in his squad.
He said: “I haven’t decided. Possibly John Souttar but there are a few other captains in that team. We’ve got
Naisy (Steven Naismith) as well as Steven MacLean
“Souttar’s performance in the second half against Celtic was captain-like so I have a choice to make.
“The good thing is that the ones we’ve got will do their captain’s part whether they’re wearing the armband or not.
“I feel we have a few players in the team who are leaders and who don’t need an armband to prove that.
“So I’m not worried about that side of things.”
After recording two Premiership wins on the bounce Hearts head to Fife this weekend to take on Dunfermline at East End Park in the Betfred Cup last 16.
Levein is mindful of the fact the Jambos lost on penalties to the Pars during the group stage last season at Tynecastle, which sent them crashing out of the competition.
Northern Ireland international defender Aaron Hughes will deputise for Berra with Austrian Peter Haring also available to play in a central defensive role.
Midfielder Haring has made a blistering start to the season with two goals on his league debut against Hamilton and a starring role in the 1-0 weekend win over Celtic.
Levein said: “We play Dunfermline now and people will expect us to just go there and win. That’s the expectation that comes with winning the first two matches of the season and beating Celtic.
“Dunfermline have had four wins in the Betfred Cup and they have also beaten Dundee and Dundee United already this season so they’re in a good place.
“I know Allan Johnston and Sandy Clark really well and they’re both real football men.
“They will have Dunfermline ready for this game. We’re away from home against a team who are doing well.
“Last year when we played Dunfermline we drew and lost on penalties. That’s enough of a warning for me to be worried about this tie.
“Aaron will play on Saturday because I don’t think I’ll be able to bring anyone in before then. I’ve made my mind up.
“I don’t want to move Peter as that would be making two changes.
“He’s doing well just now and I don’t want to jeopardise that.
“Peter played as an attacking central midfield player all the way through and only converted to centre-back two or three years ago.
“That was a discussion we had when he came in.”