Gomis shocked by Tynecastle troubles… but is ready to add to them
Morgaro Gomis admits he is stunned by the plight of Hearts but the Falkirk midfielder will have no qualms about trying to heap more misery on his former club tonight.
Gomis, 34, enjoyed a successful two-year stint at Tynecastle from 2014, renewing his midfield partnership with Prince Buaben from their Dundee United days and helping the Gorgie club win the 2014-15 Championship title with a record-breaking points total.
Indeed, the Senegal internationalist reckons he arguably played his best football during his time in maroon and, despite latterly joining Motherwell on loan, he developed a strong affinity with the Gorgie outfit.
So he has taken no pleasure in seeing his old employers languishing at the foot of the Premiership.
“I’m definitely surprised because I think Hearts are the third biggest team in Scotland,” said Gomis. “Look at the fanbase, the training facility they have and, at the start of the season, I didn’t think they’d be in the position they find themselves in today. But that’s football. Sometimes things happen and I don’t know why they are where they are, but hopefully they can kick on… just not until after our game!
“I have good memories from my two years there. It was one of my best times in football in terms of the way I played, we won promotion and we had a good squad.
“We respect Hearts as a big club – but we have nothing to fear. We are playing at home and have a good record here and I think it will be a good game.”
If Hearts find themselves in a position not befitting a club of their stature, the same can be said for Falkirk, who are attempting to escape League One.
Nevertheless, the Bairns boast a squad packed with pedigree, with the likes of
Connor Sammon, Declan Mcmanus and Paul Dixon, while they have a Scottish Cupwinner in the form of Gomis.
He lifted the trophy with Dundee United in 2010 after a 3-0 win over Ross County and would dearly love another memorable adventure this time round.
“Winning the Scottish Cup with Dundee United was probably my best memory in football,” smiled Gomis. “The feeling to win the match, lift that cup and see all the fans being happy is something that stays with you forever. It was ten years ago but everyone still speaks about the occasion.”
Dolly Menga has targeted a run in the William Hill Scottish Cup with Livingston after his African dream turned sour.
Menga went on loan to Atletico Petroleos de Luanda in the summer to boost his chances of adding to his ten caps for Angola. But the Belgian-born striker found game time limited and asked to return to West Lothian ahead of the transfer deadline.
The 26-year-old featured off the bench against Ross County on Wednesday and is eager to help Livingston get past Inverness Caledonian Thistle this afternoon and into the quarter-finals of a competition he insists they can win.
Menga said: “I am very, very happy to come back because I went to Angola and I didn’t play too much. I called [assistant manager] David [Martindale] to ask if it was possible to come back. I am back now and very, very happy.
“I played in the African Champions League but I didn’t play many games. But I kept working hard and when I came here I was ready to play.
“I came to Livingston, trained on Monday and then got an opportunity on Tuesday. It was a difficult game but I gave my all and I will keep doing this.”
Livingston had won five consecutive games before the 2-0 loss in Dingwall and Menga feels they should aim for the top in the cup.
“We have a team that can do well in the league and cup,” he said. “It is possible. We are all working for this.”
Inverness made it to Hampden in last season’s competition, seeing off Edinburgh City, East Kilbride, Ross County and Dundee United before losing to Hearts in the semifinal. Manager John Robertson has almost a full squad to choose from. He said: “We’ve got everyone available apart from Lewis Toshney, who is cup tied. We’ve got a full squad ready to go, we had finished with a few injuries on Saturday but they’ve all cleared up.”