Exclusive:Hearts suffer another injury - but Sabah Kerjota is adamant he will play against Falkirk
The Albanian was hurt against Thun on Thursday evening
Hearts winger Sabah Kerjota is determined to play against Falkirk on Sunday despite suffering an injury in Thursday’s UEFA Conference League tie against FC Thun. The Albanian damaged his arm after falling awkwardly and could not move it after the game. Although in pain from his shoulder and collar bone area, he is adamant he will not be joining Hearts’ extensive injury list.
The Edinburgh club are without 11 players after defender Stephen Kingsley hurt his hamstring in Switzerland to join 10 first-team colleagues already sidelined. Kerjota was replaced by James Wilson on 76 minutes after his fall. He was unable to manoeuvre his right arm into the sleeve of his Hearts tracksuit as he left the Visana Stadion. Speaking exclusively to the Edinburgh News, he explained what happened. He intends to face Falkirk but that decision may be taken out of his hands by medical staff.
“It's just when I fell down in the second half,” he said. “I will be available on Sunday, so there's nothing to be afraid of. I will do everything to play and I will play on Sunday. There's nothing to worry about. It's my arm, but nothing serious. I don't know how to say it in English, but it's part of the game. When you play, it's always like this. You have contact.”
Kerjota feels he needs to offer more in an attacking sense following the disappointing 3-1 loss which leaves Hearts’ European Conference League hopes hanging by the proverbial thread. “Probably everything went wrong because we lost 3-1,” he commented. “We just need to do more, no excuses, and we need to do our best Sunday. It was a game that we need to forget about and just be like a team and play like a team. I don't think it's something that comes down to the players individually. It was just not one of our best games. We just need to work and try to do our best on Sunday to at least try to win against Falkirk.
“I don't know what to say. For sure, we have a lot of players who are injured, but we also have players who can make a difference. We didn't show that in Thun, so we just need to work, work, and work some more. It's just about working hard and trying to do our best at Tynecastle. Every game is important and, with the situation we are in now, it's like a cup final. We need to go to Tynecastle, win the game and celebrate with our fans. We will do everything we can to make that happen.
“For sure, I need to play better, like everyone in the team. I need to get assists, try to score and help the team more, like I have done before. After this game, I will try to show that again. That's all I want to show my team-mates and the fans. When you lose, you need to do better. You have some games where you play well and others where you don't play so well. That's football. We have a game every three days, and that's the beautiful thing about football. After three days, you have the chance to get back up, show your best and try to win. That's what we need to do.”
Some Hearts fans criticised players and management on Thursday evening as the club’s recent run of form stretched to just two wins in the last 10 games. Kerjota heard some of the jeers and said it is not overly surprising. After coming within minutes of winning the Scottish Premiership title last season, he knows expectations remain high in Gorgie. Supporters want to see progress and won’t be happy with the current run.
“Yeah, I know, but in football it's always like this. Hearts are used to winning,” remarked Kerjota. “Over these two years, we have become used to winning, so when you lose two games in a row, it's difficult for the fans, for us, for everyone, for the players and for the coach. It's not normal for us anymore because we are used to winning. For sure, it's hard for us as players, but we play football and we are used to these situations. We need to show our best on Sunday. Like I said before, it's a big game for us, it's like a final. We need the points because Celtic lost against Falkirk, so we need to show our best.”