Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Levein: Hearts to protect players ahead of final
CRAIG Levein plans to wrap his key Hearts players in cotton wool before unleashing them for one last big push against Celtic at Hampden.
The Jambos take on the Hoops in the Scottish Cup Final on May 25 and Levein is determined to ensure he has his strongest side ready.
Before that, the Gorgie outfit still have tomorrow night’s trip to Pittodrie and the cup final dress rehearsal at Celtic Park on the last day of the Premiership season to come.
But Levein is not willing to take any risks with his top stars, even if it means players such as powerhouse striker Uche Ikpeazu and midfielder Peter Haring do not appear again until his side walk out at the national stadium.
“I’ll make some changes over the next couple of games for sure,” said Levein.
“There are some people who need matches and others who could do with a break.
“That’s the challenge working back the way from the game at Hampden.
“What’s encouraging for me is that when it comes to the cup final, I believe we’ve got one more big performance in us and that’s what we’re looking for.
“Looking at us sporadically over the last wee while, we’ve picked up a few results when we needed to.
“We haven’t been at our best recently but I do believe we can pull out a performance when needed.
“If I can make sure everybody who I feel can help us on that particular day is fit and available, then that will give us the best chance possible.
“For some it may mean playing more over the next two matches and for others it could be playing one or even none of those.”