Jambos skipper hoping for a club-v-country clash
MOST footballers would go out of their way to avoid a club-v- country confrontation. But Hearts captain Perry Kitchen is hoping he finds himself in that situation this summer.
Friday night’s drab 0-0 draw with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park damaged the Jambos’ prospects of claiming a Europa League place next season, but Kitchen believes they can still overhaul fourth-placed St Johnstone.
However, even if Ian Cathro’s men do manage to qualify, the chances are that Kitchen will be away on national service.
The midfielder, capped five times by the USA, hopes to be involved in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which is held in the States this summer.
Bruce Arena’s side are expected to top a group including Martinique, Nicaragua and Panama.
Their first tie is on July 8 and, if the hosts can reach the final on July 26, Kitchen will miss the first two Europa League qualifying rounds and the first leg of the third.
“There are games in the summer, although the squad hasn’t been released yet,” he said. “We have our version of
the Euros – the Gold Cup – in July, so it has the potential to be a busy summer.
“It’s possible I could miss the European ties, if we have any. That would be a conversation with the club if it came about.
“One step at a time and we still have five big games to play. But it wouldn’t be the worst problem to have.
“We can’t really talk about Europe until we’re in that position.”
There are, of course, two ways in which Hearts could miss out. First of all, they must claim fourth position – and Kitchen will also be praying that derby rivals Hibs don’t retain the trophy. “If any of the current top three teams win the Scottish Cup, anyone other than Hibs, we have a chance to qualify for Europe in fourth place and that’s something to work for,” said the 25-year-old.
“Our goal is to catch St Johnstone, at least, and we have five games left in which to do that. It won’t be easy, but it is our goal, and it’s definitely one that we can achieve.
“We have our two home games first – against Partick Thistle and Aberdeen – so we’ll be looking to take advantage of that before we go on the road for the rest of the season.
“I know we will have to be at our best to take care of those first two and that the last three away fixtures are going to be tough but it is what it is.
“From the position we’re in now, finishing above St Johnstone by the end of the season would be a real achievement.”
Hearts certainly didn’t look like a Europa League team on Friday, but Kitchen wasn’t too dispirited by their display.
“We came here intending to get the victory but it didn’t happen for us,” he said.
“We found it tough to find the net, but it was positive to get a shut-out. That’s two-in-a-row, so it’s something to build on.
“Over the past few weeks, positives have been hard to come by so that could be a big point, especially with us trying to chase down the teams in front of us.
“There has been an adjustment since the new coaching team came in.
“It takes time to adapt and get into it but, hopefully, we’re on the way up now – that’s four points in our last two games.
“We have the character in the dressing-room and in the team to move forward.
“There may be more change in the summer, but we all have to do our best for the team, whatever happens.”