Temps calls for kick-start to Hearts season

DAVID TEMPLETON today urged Hearts to kick-start their SPL campaign by beating St Mirren this weekend and laying foundations for a long unbeaten run like last season.

The Edinburgh club took 31 points from 33 during November, December and January last winter, which cemented third place and ultimately secured European football.

Templeton is eager to replicate that form starting tomorrow afternoon when St Mirren visit Tynecastle. The winger believes it is a game Hearts must be looking to win, with three further home matches against both Old Firm clubs and Kilmarnock to come in the weeks ahead.

“We should always be confident going into home games because we are a good side at Tynecastle,” said Templeton. “Tomorrow will be a good game to kick-start the season because we haven’t done so well recently. The result against Hibs at home was great and we need to carry that on to Saturday’s game. We want to win every home game because that’s our bread and butter, although I wouldn’t say it’s must-win for us.

“I don’t see why we can’t go on a run again like last season. We’ve got the players to do it, a few boys are coming back from injury now and the gaffer has a great squad to choose from. Some of the players who aren’t even making it into our squad for some games could play in most SPL teams. It’s good to have so many to choose from. If we win tomorrow we can go on that sort of run again and stay undefeated for a while.

“From what I’ve seen so far St Mirren are playing good football. They’ve had quite a lot of chances in their games because they have a good front three. Our defence should be able to cope with them and we definitely have the attacking players to cause them problems.”

Paulo Sergio, the Hearts manager, has insisted that striker John Sutton does have a future at Tynecastle, although he hinted that the Englishman will only be used in certain situations. “Of course he has a future at the club. If he didn’t have a future then he wouldn’t be here,” said Sergio. “I can only start with 11 players and John has different qualities. When I want those qualities in my team he will be there.”