200 and COUNTING
Berra on verge of new landmark 14 years after he entered big stage for Hearts
TWO hundred games across two spells at the club, interrupted by eight-and-a-half years away from his home town. Back working under the same gaffer who gave him his memorable first start.
And Christophe Berra is still applying the same degree of professionalism that persuaded a younger, less-grizzled Craig Levein to take a chance on the ‘kid’ way back on March 7, 2004.
Berra, who will rack up his double century against Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena tonight, can still remember the nervous excitement he felt on that day at Rugby Park over 14-and-ahalf years ago. With club captain Steven Pressley ruled out of the trip to Kilmarnock, a 19-year-old boasting just 15 minutes of first-team football — courtesy of two very fleeting substitute appearances — was trusted to get the job done.
‘There was still a lovely grass pitch at Rugby Park — that’s how long ago it was,’ said a grinning Berra, who played alongside Kevin McKenna, Robbie Neilson, Alan Maybury and Andy Webster in a 1-1 draw that day.
‘I still remember my first start. It came when Steven Pressley was ill and I remember being told on the morning of the match that I was playing.
‘I was nervous, which is only natural. Thankfully, I didn’t get told until the day of the game.
‘It was probably a benefit that I didn’t find out the night before — as a defender, you don’t want to obsess all night about making a mistake!
‘The gaffer here (Levein) was the manager back then, as well, so he would have been the one that told me on the morning of the game.
‘He was an important figure when I was coming through the youth team and had a huge part in me playing at Hearts and becoming the defender I am.
‘I learned a lot back in those days, just from training and getting advice from the guys that were here at that time like Pressley and Webster. I owe a lot to them and it gave me a platform to go on in my career.’
Berra, who is just nine games short of the magical 50-cap mark for Scotland, has graced the back lines of both Ipswich and Wolves in between his two stints at Tynecastle.
Made club captain at the age of 22, he is back in that role approaching his 34th birthday at the end of January.
His return in 2017 was a godsend to Hearts, who have benefited hugely from his defensive nous and leadership.
The central defender’s recent injury absence coincided with a horrific run of form, his return to the first team sparking an immediate upturn in performances.
So, with it looking almost inevitable that he’ll finish his career with the Jambos, does he fancy his chances of hitting 300 appearances?
‘I don’t want to tempt fate — let’s try to get to 250 first,’ he said with a laugh. ‘I’ve always been fit and looked after myself, so I don’t see why not. It’s something that would be great but it’s a long way away. I come from Edinburgh, it’s a wonderful city to live in and it’s special that there is a massive club in it where I started my career — and will hopefully finish it.
‘I didn’t know I was approaching that milestone (200th game) until the other day.
‘I’m proud to have represented the club for so many games, especially when I was away for eight-and-a-half years.
‘When you are just starting out, you never really think about landmarks like that.
‘You are just concentrating on playing every game and doing well.’
Berra being Berra, his focus tonight won’t be on any individual plaudits — but on how to frustrate a Livingston side who have made a habit of driving opponents mad. Especially on their artificial pitch.
They’re just five points behind Hearts, having played the same number of games. And they’re not being taken lightly by tonight’s visitors.
‘We know how tough it will be, one of the hardest places to go in the league,’ said Berra.
‘Livingston have had an incredible season so far, they are hard to beat, don’t concede many goals and have a habit of nicking them as well. So we know we need to go there and give 100 per cent.
‘They drew with Celtic and beat Rangers and Hibs, so we’re going to have to defend for our lives.
‘We will go there and respect Livingston — but not fear them.’