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New Hearts keeper set for debut



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Published Date: 19 August 2008
By BARRY ANDERSON
SLOVAKIAN goalkeeper Marian Kello is in line to debut for Hearts against St Mirren this weekend following Steve Banks' demotion to the role of youth team goalkeeping coach.
Manager Csaba Laszlo told the Evening News today that he wants to assess Kello in a competitive game at the earliest opportunity, and the Hungarian will also consider Danish striker Mike Tullberg and Ugandan midfielder David Obua for places in Saturd
ay's squad.

Tullberg, on loan from Reggina, is due to resume full training tomorrow after rupturing a thigh muscle last month, while Obua finally completed his move to Tynecastle yesterday after receiving work permit clearance. He has signed a four-year contract.

Kello's debut would likely mean Jamie MacDonald, who deputised for Banks at Ibrox last weekend, returning to the substitutes' bench. Banks has been deemed "untrustworthy" by Hearts' majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov and is unlikely to play for the club again. He was also first-team goalkeeping coach but is now working with the youth squad.

Kello, on-loan from Romanov-financed FBK Kaunas, impressed Laszlo during the Lithuanians' Champions League qualifying matches against Rangers and the 25-year-old now appears set for an SPL bow.

"Marian has been here a few days now and as soon as possible I would like to see this player on the field," said Laszlo. "He is a good goalkeeper and he has a chance to play against St Mirren.

"Mike can train with the team again from tomorrow but I don't think he is ready to play 90 minutes. He is ready for full training and David Obua is also here. He needs to acclimatise to the football and the weather in Scotland because in Africa it is 27 or 28 degrees just now. He is a little colder here but he is okay, he is ready to be a Hearts player."

Laszlo also praised the decision by Scotland coach George Burley to call Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart into the national squad for tomorrow's friendly with Northern Ireland after a six-year hiatus. "I am very happy with the decision of the national coach," continued Laszlo. "Michael is back in the squad after many years' absence and I am so happy for his development. I think this shows everybody that what we are doing here is good.

"This week, we have some players away with the Lithuanian national team, Jamie MacDonald and Lee Wallace are with Scotland Under-21s, Eggert Jonsson is with Iceland and Christophe Berra and Stewart are in the Scotland squad. Even Larry Kingston is away with Ghana so on Wednesday we will have a lot of players playing games. The players are back on Thursday and then we will talk about the squad for Saturday because you never know what can happen with injuries."





The full article contains 471 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 19 August 2008 11:51 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Heart of Midlothian FC
 
1

Glorious Hearts,

19/08/2008 12:00:56
#1 two weeks in and the drama queens start.

The mass freak-out over nothing continues.
2

Paranoid John from Midlothian,

19/08/2008 12:01:34
Get behind the team...
3

victorian of gorgie ,

19/08/2008 12:02:39
#1 serg, i never thought i would ever agree with a contemptuous little troll like you but i must this time.

3 keepers in 3 games to start the season is hardly settled team material.

then again it could be total cobblers 'cos csaba only says he MIGHT play vs st.mirren.

4

Indigo Nightlight,

19/08/2008 12:07:25
Not happy about any of this. Banks has been a great servant to the club and (not for the first time) has been relegated on the whim of the owner, not because of his ability. McDonald played pretty well on Saturday and does not deserve to be dropped. In comes Vlad's choice (I think it would be naive not to acknowledge this) as our third keeper in 3 games.

disspiriting stuff after the positive noises of the last few weeks.
5

Chas Niceass,

19/08/2008 12:08:16
Timing.
It would have happened earlier had Kaunas not beaten Rangers, Kello would have been signed and might have played against Motherwell.
I dont fancy him much myself on what I seen, but it was only 1 game and some highlights.
This is a bit painful after having 2 brilliant goalies for so long, mind you Tepi Moilanen was sandwiched in between them so Kello might not be so bad. Kurskis will take some beating.
6

Glorious Hearts,

19/08/2008 12:09:01
#5 "In comes Vlad's choice (I think it would be naive not to acknowledge this)"

I beg to differ, I think it's paranoid to assume this despite Laszlo's public assertions to the contrary. What reason do you have to doubt CL's word on it?
7

Harold Bishop is the original John Darwin.,

19/08/2008 12:10:49
It shouldn't matter who we play in goals on Saturday.
A home match against St Mirren should be a win regardless.

He should stick the boy in the reserves, what does it matter if it is a competetive match or not? A shot is a shot in any game and still needs to be saved all the same. If the boy wants a shot at the starting 11 then he should take every game seriously whether a friendly, reserve match or under 19s.

Am I wrong?
8

,

19/08/2008 12:12:24
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
9

huggs,

19/08/2008 12:13:33
Mcdonald looked ok on Saturday and will feel hard done by if he is dropped
Cant understand all the hype we all know Banks was not good enough to be no1 it could be worse we might have Hobo keepers
Cmon lads get behind the team,I have watched both games and if we can get a forward in we will be fine

Cant beleive Nade was not fit enough to track back or even get himself back in an onside position after all he only had to do it for forty minute
He is the unfitest professional i have ever seen
10

Indigo Nightlight,

19/08/2008 12:14:59
#7

Call me paranoid then. I'm sure that of all the available keepers in the world Laszlo had Kello at the top of his list. I doubt very much if he would have brought him to Tynecastle at all, and now he is parachuted straight into the team.
11

CBJambo,

19/08/2008 12:15:09
No surprise that Kello will play on Saturday, more so if he didn't.

I seriously doubt he is Shabba's first choice keeper (as if he had a say at all!).

The guy is here on a year long loan and not as we were led to believe a permanent signing. I reckon we'll still end up with the other keeper too on a six month loan... if i was Jamie i'd be well hacked off... as for Banksey... if I was him i'd walk... he has nothing to prove or stay for at Tynecastle and he is good enough to keep playing.

The one area where Hearts had half decent options was the GK'ing stuation... as for the strikers???!!

Why look to sign another GK after Kello, plus a GK'ing coach... when WE ALL know that Hearts have no naturally gifted strikers in the squad??!!

Nade - Still unfit
Makela - Awful first, second and third touch... not spl level.
Glen - too young, no experience
Mole - plenty running, no shot
Tullberg - God knows?! Only Hearts would sign an injured striker!
Elliot - No confidence, time to move on

I'd trade them all for someone like David Clarkson
12

the west end general,

19/08/2008 12:15:52
5
'Banks has been a great servant to the club '

I think that you are a bit OTT with this assertion,Gary and Robbo are / were but Banks naw
13

Indigo Nightlight,

19/08/2008 12:17:59
#13

Why over the top? Banks has played whenever he has been called upon, never said a bad word about the club and is an absolute gentleman in everything he does. I don't think he was by any means a long term solution as the goalkeeper but it's typical of the Romanov regime for people to be treated disgracefully on their way out the door.
14

Optimus Prime,

Cybertron 19/08/2008 12:19:51
Let's just face facts here, Romanov has gone back on his word yet again and shown his complete contempt for the supporters. Laszlo obviously talks a good game and i'm sure he is a decent coach but at the end of the day he's just another puppet.

The question really his how much more are we going to take before the supporters as a group put up a meaningful protest. To date Romanov has had a fairly easy ride from the fans. Time for action.
15

huggs,

19/08/2008 12:20:51
14 If you class banks as a great servant you must class Elliot the same?
Cmon he is never good enough for first choice,if he is a good coach keep him if not i am sure there are a few clubs who would benefit from his experience
16

Glorious Hearts,

19/08/2008 12:22:11
#11 "Call me paranoid then. I'm sure that of all the available keepers in the world Laszlo had Kello at the top of his list. I doubt very much if he would have brought him to Tynecastle at all, and now he is parachuted straight into the team."

It's not hugely complicated.

Laszlo knows he has the players from Kaunas pretty much freely at his disposal. He likes the look of Kello and says "Yep, we'll take him."

Laszlo himself has said it was his decision and saw him play in the flesh against Rangers.

Laszlo has also made an offer to Balogh so it's obvious to me that Kello is not the only goalie he wants but he's clearly someone who Laszlo feels is worth having on board.

Yes you're being paranoid. In my opinion of course.
17

RichB,

edinburgh 19/08/2008 12:22:12
Golden rule - never EVER become a valued, respected servant of the club these days - that immediately puts you on notice of being punted.
18

Palermo,

19/08/2008 12:22:24
well, at least if he concedes fewer than 2 goals that could be said to be "progress" of a sort, even this early in the season

ironic that only one Scottish-based player is in an olympic medal position, and that is a Hibs goalie :-)
19

Optimus Prime,

Cybertron 19/08/2008 12:22:53
#16

I think the point is that without doing anything wrong Banks is the latest in a long line of club personnel who have been treated disgracefully by the owner.
20

Indigo Nightlight,

19/08/2008 12:24:42
#16.

There's more to being a great servant than being a great player. Banks has given his all every week, is dependable and has represented the club brilliantly.

Is this going to turn into another 'he was undermining the club' witchhunt the likees of which accompanied Pressley when he left?

We'll survive without Banks, of course we will. but treating good men contemptibly is sadly all too common at Tynecastle these days.
21

WE ARE WE ARE WE ARE THE HEARTS,

19/08/2008 12:26:07
Kello looks a good goalie, lets hope he is
22

The Gorgie Boys Are In Town,

19/08/2008 12:26:32
Banks was a stop gap, a very good one at that. But he is 36 years and hardly someone we can have as first choice. His "demotion" as this cack reporter can't help but slide into his article is what he was going to do anyway, in helpiing the first and 2nd choice keepers improve and train them keeping him involved with the squad.
23

CBJambo,

19/08/2008 12:26:40
#5

Vlad has done to Banksey the exact same thing he did to Elvis. He has tried to cajole him into becoming a coach at a time in his career when Banks still feels he has the ability to play on.

Banks refuses to give up on playing (like Elvis did) and 'hey presto' Vlad decrees him untrustworthy as he won't do what Vlad wants.

Unlike Elvis though he isn't the captain and so can be removed instantly from the squad without as much fuss to a lesser role... Csaba and Banks have to lump it!!!

Vlad pi$$in all over Hearts yet again and bang goes the 'feel good' factor we had last week... WE ALL LOSE OUT HERE!
24

huggs,

19/08/2008 12:26:46
20 He is not good enough same as Frail sorry to sound harsh but if your not good enough time to move on
Hearts is not a charity for mediocur players we want better so some people will inevitably be moved on
25

Indigo Nightlight,

19/08/2008 12:27:28
#17

You could be right. I would sincerely like to believe that was the case. However going on past experience I don't.
26

victorian of gorgie ,

19/08/2008 12:29:24
but then again we only have a few 'iffy' sources to rely on that he HAS been treated badly. can anyone really say with any certainty exactly what has gone on behind the scenes?

on balance of probability i would say that banks is carrying the can for not agreeing to whatever was being imposed on him.

an official statement from the club would help but i don't know if we will see one.

27

CBJambo,

19/08/2008 12:30:17
#23

Would you say that David James or Jens Lehmann were passed it, because they were in their late thirties?

Banks age has nothing to do with it... on balance right now he is still the best GK we have at the club.
28

billyq,

edinburgh 19/08/2008 12:30:37
During the close season Csaba was making all the right noises about doing this ,that with team and signings.Now the season has started the mad one is up to his usual tricks 3 goalies in 3 games well done a really settled team eh vlad.The keeper we signed from Kaunus is no better than what we have he was dodgy against rangers in the european qualifiersand yet Csaba says he was impressed with him YEAH RIGHT CSABA.Just admit that you are a puppet like the rest of the managers we have had since Burley it will make it a lot easier for you
29

Optimus Prime,

Cybertron 19/08/2008 12:31:43
#25

I personally think Banks was good enough and if he leaves i'm sure that will be reflected in the calibre of club he ends up at. Does this mean you are sure this Kaunas keeper is a marked step up then?

Your last statement astounds me. I think the evidence clearly is that Hearts ARE a "charity for mediocur players". If you look at some of the dross that has worn a Hearts shirt in the last two years. If anything the trend has been for good players being replace by guys who are simply not good enough.
30

Jambo4ever,

19/08/2008 12:32:45
It will be interesting to see how Robbie Neilson fits in once he is back from injury.

31

GrahamL,

19/08/2008 12:32:58
I'm always surprised at how quick some people are to support Vlad in these things. Banks - on the face of it - has been treated disgracefully. And yet so many folk are saying "he was past it", "wouldn't be my first choice", "not a good servant to the club". Well, that's nonsense. He always did his best, and to get this demotion - seemingly on Vlads whim - is appalling.
We don't know enough on this yet to know whether it's protest time, but if Banks is being forced out of the club are people going to accept it?

On past experience, I suspect yes, there's been a distinct feeling that - as long as Vlad shafts the players we don't like - we don't care. Same when Vlad started meddling in the team last season, saying SF couldn't pick Basso - general feeling was "ach, he's no good anyway". It's the principle that should matter here, not how good the player involved is.

Maybe I'll be wrong. Maybe, after the good feeling generated in the last month, another kick in the baws from Vlad will be enough to get the supporters groups to do something. We'll have to see how the Banks thing develops, and what happens after that.


On the story - MacDonald should keep his spot, he did as well as could be expected for a young guy thrown into his debut at Ibrox at the last minute. He should be given a chance to prove himself before Kello is. As has been said elsewhere, there's plenty opportunity in training and reserve matches for Csaba to see if this other guys any good.
32

Optimus Prime,

Cybertron 19/08/2008 12:33:44
#27

Wake up.

Romanov has a long track record of this. An official club statement would not help as it is written by Romanov's puppets.
33

victorian of gorgie ,

19/08/2008 12:34:50
#33, it must be nice to be so certain of things based on very little hard evidence.

each to their own i suppose.

34

CBJambo,

19/08/2008 12:35:21
#30 Spot on

'Heart of Mediocrity' is fast becoming who we are!

You only have to look at players such as Nade, Makela, Beslija, Zaliukas, Ksanavicius, Cesnauskas etc etc to see that we are not blessed with the talent we once had,
35

Optimus Prime,

Cybertron 19/08/2008 12:35:41
#32

Excellent post. Some common sense at last.
36

Talk o' the Toun,

19/08/2008 12:39:15
Two things are 'transparently' obvious:

1. Romanov has interefered & will continue to do so.
2. If(as i expect we will) win on saturday (whoever the keeper is)it will not matter a jot.

HHGH
37

Optimus Prime,

Cybertron 19/08/2008 12:40:38
#34

It's called thinking laterally and reading between the lines. Managers not lasting 5 minutes and Ex players and club officials signing gagging orders in order to get their compensation tell me more than "offical" club statements produced by Romanov's puppets.

If you think our club is being run in a correct and proper manner and you are not alarmed by the constant embarassment that Romanov brings to the club then so be it but i and many others have had enough.

38

Newcastle Jambo,

19/08/2008 12:41:08
#32 spot on - exactly what I always (try to) say. I hate the Orwellian attitude of football fans that goes along the lines of "plays for us now - hero, used to play for us - useless / past it / never rated him / traitor".

Why the masses rally behind a despotic maniac and agree with his every (pathetic and unjustifiable) decision is totally beyond me. Soon as Burley was sacked the same idiots were on message boards saying "if Romanov wants to change the manager that's good enough for me", "Burley wasn't the right man for the job", "he has a drink problem" etc etc. All nonsense.

This ignorant blind loyalty seems to be the definition of football fans and if you don't go along with it 100% you are a "hobo".
39

huggs,

19/08/2008 12:41:25
36 How many good games has Banks had ?
He was nothing speciall a good honest pro granted
We have all been on these threads saying we need a keeper,now we get one everyone is up in arms without giving him a chance
35 Negative posts fast becoming a habit for you and dont know what you have against ZALIUKAS think he is getting better and better
40

Chas Niceass,

19/08/2008 12:42:01
#32 I usually agree with most of your posts in fact they almost echo my own thoughts so its nice to disagree for a change.
I suspect Banks hasnt done what he's been asked to. Much like Pressley was at the latter end of his career and to be honest Elvis aint done much playing since he left Hearts.
A coachs role wasnt a bad offer for a journeyman keeper, Banks is ok, but he's not top class, anything but.
At the end of the day he perhaps should have respected his employer, Vlad after all is the boss.
Its easy to have this portrait of him being all evil but we simply dont know what he has offered.
Screpis another case in point, he was plucked from obscurity anyhow, given an oppurtunity to continue at a slightly lesser rate but still had an oppurtunity he never had before, but they all throw it back in his face.
Ok, perhaps I've gone too much the other way, but it is possible Vlad has given people decent oppurtunities however because it doesnt suit them, they cry foul, to be fair, Banks has said nothing yet, but the EEN will have the interview 2 weeks after he's left.
41

Jam Tarts 1874,

On the Rebound 19/08/2008 12:42:05
#24. So you were present during the discussions Banks had with Romanov and Korobotcha? I think not.

There is no evidence whatsover to back up your assertions.

#32. How do you know Banks has been treated disgracefully? Who other than BAnderson says he has?
42

Phil o Brian,

19/08/2008 12:42:17
What happened? Go away for 2 weeks and come back and its like nothing has changed. He is/was a good goalie. I am sure that most Hibs fans would have him.
43

Optimus Prime,

Cybertron 19/08/2008 12:44:27
#39

Well said.

#40

You are totally missing the point.
44

Optimus Prime,

Cybertron 19/08/2008 12:47:25
#42

I think the last two paragraphs of post 39 sums you up in a nutshell.
45

victorian of gorgie ,

19/08/2008 12:48:37
#41 chas, well said. it's not exactly panic stations yet but you would be forgiven for thinking it was sometimes.

46

Stotty,

19/08/2008 12:48:45
No one is going to convince me that us appointing a journeyman goalkeeper nearing the end of his career as youth coach means we are all of a sudden in crisis.
47

Johnny Jambo,

19/08/2008 12:49:15
#25 "Hearts is not a charity for mediocre players" in fact thats exactly what Hearts are, maybe not a charity but certainly we only have mediocre players.

Banks was a good enough keeper, we need other positions filled before we needed a keeper.
48

Indy Rep Kid...,

19/08/2008 12:49:33
#40

More importantly, how many BAD games has Banks had and how many goals has he cost us? He is probably the 3rd best keeper in the league.

Zaliukas getting better and better? What did you think of his defending for Motherwell's first goal?
49

huggs,

19/08/2008 12:50:02
#44 Think we will have to agree to disagree
Dont get me wrong i had nothing against Banks but dont think he is good enough to be our no 1 choice
50

Indy Rep Kid...,

19/08/2008 12:53:10
#50 But he is better than MacDonald right now and the place to assess Kello is in training and reserve games, not an SPL game.
51

CBJambo,

19/08/2008 12:53:14
#40

Negative posts... no.

Honest thoughts to a story... yes.

I think Banks has been treated (like Pressley and Frail before him) disgracefully. I also think that the reporting of it in the EEN has been poor at best... unamed sources smack of a hidden agenda and give credence to Vlad's accusations that they are all out to get him!

The team we have now is nowhere near as good as we used to have FACT! There are still too many average players in the squad competing for limited positions.

Zaliukas... may be getting better (so he should with training) but he isn't as good as Karipidis at CB and is not a midfielder... so why do we persist with him??! Because of Vlad... simple! Likewise with Ksanavicius, Chesney, Miko and No 28! They have all shown glimpses of excellent play but NO consistency... yet they are in the team week in week out.

This leave us with the illusion of a big squad of internationalists, but in reality you could assemble a better SPL team from our youth and with players bought from Motherwell, Dundee Utd and Falkirk.

Our squad is poor, face it!

Doesn't stop me supporting them but it also won't stop me criticising either!
52

Johnny Jambo,

19/08/2008 12:54:07
An offer was made for Banks from Rangers, somehow and I don't know the ins and outs of it but that didn't happen so Banks is now being Frozen out, maybe because he said he would have liked to go and because of that he is "disloyal" or maybe he didn't want to go so therefore losing money for the club and because of that he is "disloyal" whatever happened he is being treated badly and I said this before but no apologies for repeating it, I would like to bet that Banks leaves the club and Hearts retain his playing contract to prevent him playing elsewhere.
53

Chas Niceass,

19/08/2008 12:54:44
#39 Why the masses rally behind a despotic maniac and agree with his every (pathetic and unjustifiable) decision is totally beyond me.

To be fair Rangers fans have questioned Murray this week.

Perhaps we rally round him because he's got more balls than any other man I've known in Scottish football.

Sure he p's me off regular, this keeper I'm not happy about, but he's got guts and for that I can get by.

More than most on here who yesterday were willing to put up with Rangers walking over them with incredulous refereeing. Craig Levein was also a favourite of mine for his stand following Killie. Both are leaders, we may not agree with him some, a lot or all of the time but he has the guts to stand up and says what he thinks.

Sadly people are too easily directed by the power of press which should never be underestimated of how they wish to portray a character, and also too many people in all walks of society dont respect the person who puts bread on their table.
54

Gorgie's Finest,

19/08/2008 12:55:27
Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo today revealed he has yet to decide on his first-choice goalkeeper for the current season.

Steve Banks was between the posts for the opening match of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign against Motherwell at Tynecastle, while Scotland U21 star Jamie MacDonald took over the gloves for the weekend trip to Ibrox.

The recent arrival of Slovakian shot-stopper Marian Kello preceded the appointment of Steve to the role of full-time coach to the youth keepers at the Academy.

Csaba was pleased with Jamie's performance in the 2-0 defeat to Rangers, although indicated his inclusion in the starting XI. in Glasgow didn't mean he was now No.1 at Tynecastle.

Speaking to Hearts News today, Csaba said: "We don't talk about a No.1 or No. 2 just now.

"We have two young goalkeepers here. Jamie had a good game against Rangers but Marian must also have his chance.

"We will see how he does and then maybe make a decision who is No. 1 but at the moment it is too soon to speak about this."

Meanwhile, the process of recruiting a new first-team goalkeeping coach to replace Steve continues apace, with Csaba anticipating a "quick solution".

The Hearts boss also declared no fresh injury worries for the visit of St Mirren this weekend following the match against Rangers.

"Everyone is okay," he added.
55

GrahamL,

19/08/2008 12:55:44
#41 At least people will know we're not the same person anyway!
I'm not saying this is necessarily bad, maybe Vlad sat down with Banks, they discussed what role he wanted, and they - and possibly Csaba - decided he would be best as youth goalkeeping coach. If that is what happened. That's grand, all happy.
If - on the other hand - Vlad has told him that, instead of being player/first team coach, he's now the youth coach like it or lump it. Then that's out of order. Banks had a playing contract with the club - signed just a few months ago if I remember correctly (about the time of the Rangers interest?) - if Vlad is forcing changes to that contract on him, then that ain't good enough.

As I say, we don't know exactly what did happen, so I'm not getting too het up about it yet - but there's a lot of people round here sounding like, even if Vlad as screwed Banks over, they don't care cos he's in his thirties and not world class. Which I find quite disappointing.
56

huggs,

19/08/2008 12:56:56
#49 IRK you have got it in for Zaliukis thought he has done well in both our games this season and hom and Berra are looking good together

If you think Banks should be our No1 goalkeeper thats up to you
Personally i want better for our club you where at the Motherwell game
Was he commanding? Did he look confident?
Not in my opinion
57

Indy Rep Kid...,

19/08/2008 12:58:34
#54

"Sadly people are too easily directed by the power of press which should never be underestimated of how they wish to portray a character, and also too many people in all walks of society dont respect the person who puts bread on their table."

Unfortunately, the wildest press stories have also turned out to be true in the long run.

Sorry, but I do not respect Vlad and he does not put bread on my table. I am grateful for keeping us at Tynie etc etc but i'll respect him as much as he respects us fans (i.e. not much)
58

Gorgie's Finest,

19/08/2008 12:58:51
Sorry but this story is looking more and more like there is truth in it. More than 24hrs have past and Csaba has been interviewed ny the EN Supposedly and by HW, perfect oppertunities to set the record straight about events surrounding Banks/Romanov. The FACT nothing has appeared on the Hearts site and no comments from Csaba make the story all the more credible.
59

Talk o' the Toun,

19/08/2008 12:59:25
#49... Zali was left exposed by Kingston not tracking his player. Did react slowly .. but no doubt he is improving an IMO will be a deseved 1st choice this season.

If i was a manager playing Hearts it would be obvious to me that our weak link is at left back ...Wallace is far too slow to play there(although no doubting he has talent)...whereas our central defense is reasonably good;certainly good enough to mark Boyd & Velicka out of Saturdays game(whereas Rangers centre half rounded Wallace with ease)
60

Johnny Jambo,

19/08/2008 13:01:07
#57 - I want better for my club too but we need better in every position is my opinion.

I still think we had a good enough keeper in Banks and a good enough sub in Macdonald, as I said before we needed players in other positions as a higher priority and still do.
61

Indy Rep Kid...,

19/08/2008 13:01:29
#57 I do not have it in for Zaliukas, I just don;t think he is good enough. His defending is tentative and rash in equal measures.

And I also want better for this club but, until then, I think we should play our best team. For me, that means Banksy should start. Did I think he was commanding? No, but Craig Gordon never commanded either. As long as he does the simple things well and doesn;t throw the ball in the net then he'll do until we can replace him adequately.
62

Indy Rep Kid...,

19/08/2008 13:02:30
#60 I can see Csaba sticking Larry on the bench soon. He is clearly not happy with him.
63

GrahamL,

19/08/2008 13:03:32
Further to my post at 56 - he signed a 2 and a half year contract to be "goalkeeping coach" on 11 January.
Anyone still think he's not been given a raw deal to be moved to "youth team goalkeeping coach"?
64

Gorgie's Finest,

19/08/2008 13:05:06
#62

Fair comments IRK, but lets not all shoot Kello, after all it's not his fault. And for all we know he could be a really good keeper. I would hate for any fans to turn on Kello because of whats happened, or not give him 100% support. If he turns out to be another Kurskis I can understand fans not liking him or wanting him near the team, I for one wouldnt, but until we know more about him and see what he is like, I think it only right he is given a chance and the 100% backing at Tynecastle on saturday if he plays.
65

Talk o' the Toun,

19/08/2008 13:05:37
#52 Miko/Chesney/no28 very rarely start games.Zaliuakasis is superior to Karipidas(who is not a midfielder either) IMO.

All about opinions. saturdays eleven

McDonald
Thomson Berra Zali Obua
Kingston Palaz stewart Driver
Mole Tullberg(if fit; if not bring Chesney in as Sammy too easily knocked off the ball)

HHGH
66

Bobby Bobby Bobby Prentice on the wing,

19/08/2008 13:06:58
I ask you lot that are not convinced that Csaba has full control of picking the team, this question, who picked Jamie in front of Kello at the weekend? I'm telling you it was Csaba, the same Csaba who told Jamie, he is LIKELY to pick Kello this weekend. I believe and hope the new boss is the real deal and is the man who is strong enough and intellegent enough to deal with Vlad, until I know differantly I'm right behind him, COME ON THE JT's
67

The Bee,

19/08/2008 13:07:40
#59

It was also a perfect opportunity for the EN to ask Csaba outright if the dressing room incident did or did not happen, yet it failed to do so.

I wonder why.
68

huggs,

19/08/2008 13:08:56
#61 I agree we need players in other positions but Csaba has said he looke at this keeper in Germany and at Ibrox Banks is not good enough and up no now the manager has been making the right noises for me

#62 So you dont think there has been a massive improvement in Zaliukas then ?
Its our forwards that need improving we are not going to win games without scoring goals
69

Gorgie's Finest,

19/08/2008 13:11:07
#67

There is also the other side to look at. Given the events that took place on Saturday there is always the chance Jamie was deliberately picked to try and avoid any suspicion of Vlad meddling in the team, Had kello played on Saturday that is the first thing all of us and the media as well would have said.

Im not saying this is what happened and I would like to think it isn't but there is always these possibilities, im trying to look at possibility.
70

CBJambo,

19/08/2008 13:11:16
#42

It is fairly obvious to all that this is EXACTLY whats happened.

On the club website there was an article where Csaba wanted Banks to concentrate on playing this season!

http://www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/HeartsNewsDetail/0,,10289~1361685,00.html

Yet later we are told that he is to take on a coaching only position for the 'FIRST TEAM' and after the game at ibrox we learn he is to coach only the youth players!

Now Bank himself has said he wants to play and fight for the No1 jersey... so do you honestly think he has had a change of heart and decided that coaching the youth and hanging up his gloves is the way to go now... 2 weeks into the season.

The only thing that would stop him so quickly would be a career ending injury... and we ain't heard about that!

Banks' has been forced to step down from the first team and i bet he'll be off asap now!
71

LionheartFodithman,

19/08/2008 13:12:12
Amazing....
Last season there was complete turmoil,no style of play,no work ethic,zero tactics and 5 changes every game.
This season 2 games played,1 change and still the constant nonsense about who is picking the team and influencing goings on.

I feel one of my heads coming on ....
72

Indy Rep Kid...,

19/08/2008 13:12:44
#65 Don't worry, Kello is an innocent party in all this and he gets my full support - I get the feeling he is a notch or two above Kurskis so hopefully should be okay.



73

Chas Niceass,

19/08/2008 13:13:29
#56 Wouldnt bet on it, sure some folk speak to themselves on here, not us though!
Disappointing I agree, particularly as I'm unsure of the new keeper and I agree the moral of dissing players because they are no longer welcome is poor, Elvis in particular was a confusing one.
In hindsight though Elvis got a decent coaching oppurtunity but didnt want it, Vlad did have time for him and probably felt let down, I think the same has happened here.
We dont know how Banks reacted, if it was me I probably would have had a strop, I know I have when before in my own days playing (poorly I might add!).
With Vlad its all about respect and on that front I cant argue with him.
Ultimately at work within reason my boss can tell me what to do, Stevie was getting a decent job offer I think, it was at Csabas behest I think and not Vlads, Vlad has intervened I think when things werent being resolved.
74

Gorgie's Finest,

19/08/2008 13:14:13
#71 CB

The announcement about Banks coaching the youth team was made saturday morning. The reported Vlad dressing room incident took place later in the day, after the match.
75

East at Easter,

Edinburgh 19/08/2008 13:15:14
2 words:-

Eddie Kurskis...remember that fall guy from the Baltics?
76

Indy Rep Kid...,

19/08/2008 13:15:15
#69 If I was being cynical then I would say Zaliukas could only improve on last season as he was particularly woeful.

But i;m not cynical! It's between him nd Karpidis for the spot alongside Berra....both are similar in that they can look good but I don't think either are the long term solution.

But, as you say, up front is where we REALLY have problems.
77

Chas Niceass,

19/08/2008 13:17:06
IRK then dont go. But he has my support, probably not 100%, but he has it.
He's willing to stand up and be counted quite unlike a lot of our so called fans.
No dig at you by the way, but I have no doubts Romanov does what he thinks is right.
Banks will not be the 1st team goalie, he got offered an alternative job and now for his disobedience I guess he is moving down the way.
That happens in many workplaces any day.
78

CBJambo,

19/08/2008 13:17:44
#75

sorry... was through in Glasgow all day... didn't read till got home.
79

Indy Rep Kid...,

19/08/2008 13:18:36
#76

Hold on lads!!!!!!

A hibee is making goalkeeping jokes!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's a selection of 2 words for you: Tony Caig, Andy McNeil, Yves Makalamby, Jim Leighton, Zibby Malkowski, John Leslie, John Burridge.

80

Indy Rep Kid...,

19/08/2008 13:19:41
#78 Chas, i'm confused, why would I not go?
81

Johnny Jambo,

19/08/2008 13:21:22
#71 - incidentally in that article Csaba also states that Banks is the No 1 and Macdonald is the number 2. (albeit at that time) Some were criticising me this morning when I said that he had made that statement. Thanks a lot mate.
82

CBJambo,

19/08/2008 13:21:41
I'd just like to say also that 'Kello' is an innocent party in all this and i'll give him my total support if he is picked for saturday.

Still hate the way we go about these things though.

All that was required was a statement from Csaba informing us who his preferred choice for keeper is and that is it, we'd be happy!

The fact he hasn't yet, and Vlad has stuck his oar in, coupled with the Kaunus keeper arriving at a time when we had another keeper here on trial... totally undermines Csab Laszlo.

83

Ronaldo Stuffed Everyone,

19/08/2008 13:25:11
#78 Happens all the time - Banks is no spring chicken - if Csaba felt strongly about it he would have said something but based on Banks being apppointed to his new post before the game, it would suggest Csaba didn't want him. Banks had only been three years at the club and it seems clear he tried to get a move to Ibrox for more money. Vlad didn't like it -can't see anything wrong with that.
84

Gorgie's Finest,

19/08/2008 13:27:59
#82 JJ

If your ferring to me from this morning i didnt critiscise you. However that article goes further and states this

""After that we maybe think about his future. He has played very well and he is a goalkeeper just now. In the future, I don't know. Steve at the moment is No. 1, Jamie MacDonald is No. 2 and I have given them the responsibility.

"I am not happy and I want to change the goalkeeper situation very quickly. I want to have a goalkeeper or a goalkeeper coach."

Meaning Csaba was not happy with Banks being goalkeepr and coach and it is a "Situation" he wanted to change quickly.

Admittedly he said Banks is No1 that was then before other keepers arrived. because we only really had 2 goalkeepers at that point, Basso was turfed out.
85

Chas Niceass,

19/08/2008 13:29:30
#81 If you disrespect Romanov so much. I hope you do go, but if you dont then dont.
I have no doubt he's a strong leader, they make unpopular choices but usually end up coming out strong.
86

Gorgie's Finest,

19/08/2008 13:31:05
#87

Run along serg you sad little troll.

Good thread about you on JKB by the way, ripping you to pieces the other week, seems were not the only ones who see you as a sad little creepy person.
87

thejambokid,

19/08/2008 13:31:51
Why is it that if you're a good young player its a case of "if you're good enough, you're old enough" but with older players its not a case of "if you're good enough, you're young enough"? Banks may not have been Craig, nor one for the future, but he was still good enough for the first team.

I don't know if Banderson's take on events is entirely true but it does seem that Shabba wanted him to be a goalkeeper or a coach not both and the decision was made that he should be a coach whilst he, understandably, felt he could still offer something between the sticks. There have been conflicting stories on the fallout and a lot depends on who you want to believe.

No matter what anyone's opinion on Bank's ability, he was a gentleman whom always acted professionally. Amid the ongoing disasters of last season one ray of light was his decision to stay on with us in his dual role despite noises being made from the blue end of Glasgow about signing him. IF he has been treated badly by the club then there is no excuse and it wouldn't make me boycott matches. However, I would continue to worry that while I thought Vlad had safeguarded the traditions of my club by keeping us at Tynie, he was actually slowly eroding them as he continues, amongst other things, to treat loyal players with contempt.
88

Bigwull,

edinburgh 19/08/2008 13:33:03
87 lawyers could be reading this
89

Johnny Jambo,

19/08/2008 13:35:15
#85 GF you were one of a few who questioned me, all I said was that Laszlo had stated recently that Banks was his No 1. Which was true. This articles actually inferred that he wanted him to continue as a player and not a coach.
Not something to fall out over mate.
90

Johnny Jambo,

19/08/2008 13:38:45
#85 GF you were one of a few who questioned me, all I said was that Laszlo had stated recently that Banks was his No 1. Which was true. This articles actually inferred that he wanted him to continue as a player and not a coach.
Not something to fall out over mate.
91

Gorgie's Finest,

19/08/2008 13:38:58
#91

Not falling out with you or anyone JJ. I think i didnt state my case well enough thats all, I was trying to say that no decision had been made on who would be first choice for the season. I did say that No1 had been deliberately left out the squad numbers. If it was Csaba's intentions to have Banks as No1 for the season then why wasn't he given squad number 1. I agree at the time he said he is no1 but only for the reasons i stated above, that at that point there was only 2 keepers anyway Banks and McDonald, so it would be right Banks would be no1 choice at the time.
92

GrahamL,

19/08/2008 13:40:14
#84 "Banks had only been three years at the club and it seems clear he tried to get a move to Ibrox for more money. Vlad didn't like it -can't see anything wrong with that."
I'm confused - Banks' contract was due to expire at the end of last season. He supposedly tries to get a move to Rangers, so Vlad offers him a new 2 and a half year contract as goalkeeping coach with the express intention of screwing him over 6 months later?
Do you really believe that??
93

victorian of gorgie ,

19/08/2008 13:52:05
one or two people have commented that the absence of an official denial of events is tantamount to an admission that the story as reported is a true reflection of events.

how is that then?

vlad is kind of damned if he does say anything and damned if he doesn't.

if there's silence then it's viewed as an admission.

if a denial did appear then some people would instantly dismiss it as 'spin' or a lie or a sign of guilt because of too strenuous a denial.

at the end of the day, some people will only ever believe what their preconceptions allow them to believe.