Upbeat Gomis is full of Heart
HE has just signed for a club capable of selling more t han 5,000 season tickets in a matter of days. His first game of the new league season will be at one of the biggest and best grounds in Scotland, while match day two takes him home — to the most atmospheric stadium in the country — for a city derby.
So no, all things considered, Morgaro Gomis doesn’t quite hold with the notion that his move from Premiership razzle-dazzle merchants Dundee United to r ebuilding Championship, unpredictable Hearts as a relegation.
The French-born former Senegalese international, reunited with Craig Levein after a successful spell working together in the midfielder’s first stint at Tannadice, declared: ‘I don’t think I’m stepping down. I’m coming to a great place, a great club and a great division to play in.
‘It will be a great league, with Hearts, Hibs and Rangers all there. And there are other strong teams, too, so it will be a good competition.
‘I had no hesitation in coming here. I spoke to my family and a few people close to me, but it wasn’t a hard decision to make.
‘Look at the season tickets sold. It’s one of the best clubs in Scotland and the fans play a big part in that. It’s a fantastic stadium and it’s full almost all of the time, which is great.
‘I’ve played here a few times over the years and it has always been one of my favourite grounds. There isn’t one game that stands out — they were all pretty tough. It was always hard to play against Hearts.
‘I couldn’t ask any better than to start against Rangers at Ibrox. That should be a great game f or Scottish football.
‘Some people will look at both teams as the main title contenders but there are other clubs — Hibs, for one. It will be hard, with a lot of sides pushing for first place and the play-offs.
‘I came on as a substitute at Ibrox for Dundee United in the Scottish Cup semi-final last season and we did well (a 3-1 win). You shouldn’t have fear of facing any team.’
Gomis, who has signed a three-year contract, endured a disappointing season back on Tayside last year, often consigned to the bench as Jackie McNamara’s young team generated kilowatts of excitement.
He is banking on a reunion with Hearts director of football Levein, the manager who turned him from an unknown at Cowdenbeath to a key player i n an outstanding Dundee United team, to revive a career that also took him to English Championship side Birmingham for two seasons.
‘Craig Levein is a big part of why I’m here today,’ said Gomis, the 28-year-old adding: ‘I thank him for that and, hopefully, I can repay him on the pitch over the season.
‘He gave me my chance by signing me for Dundee United when I was at Cowdenbeath, so it’s big thanks to him that I’ve made it this far in my career.
‘Craig always believed in me, gave me a chance. I’ve signed a long term deal, so the plan is to have a great season and take it from there.’