Jankauskas To Leave Hearts?

I’m hearing strong rumours that Edgaras Jankauskas has said that this season will be his last at Tynecastle.

It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this was the case to be honest. The guy has hardly played for us this season for one reason or another (mainly injuries) and doesn’t particularly seem all that keen on staying.

In fact, I’m not convinced that Jankauskas has ever looked particularly happy at Hearts. Maybe he’s just that sort of guy and wouldn’t look happy anywhere, but if not he’s very often looked dis-interested, especially during times when the team could really have done with an obviously good player like him putting just a little bit more effort in.

When I think of Jankauskas playing for Hearts, it’s ultimately a feeling of disappointment at what could have been. On the occasions when he’s been in the mood, he’s been one of the most impressive centre-forwards I’ve ever seen playing for the club. Fantastic ability to shield and hold up the ball, coupled with quick feet for a big man inside the area and an uncanny ability to win free-kicks in dangerous areas, a sure nod to his days in the Portuguese league!

But sadly those occasions have been all too rare. Some blame the player entirely for this, calling him all the lazy b*****ds and money-grabbing mercenaries of the day. They may have a point to a certain extent, but I can’t help thinking that at least half of the problem has been the unbelievably bad management of the Hearts first team squad. Sure, Jankauskas has had his injuries, but even when he’s been fit he’s either been inexplicably left out for key matches when we’ve needed him, or played alongside someone who should’t have been in the team.

He’s also suffered the problem experienced by all the strikers at Hearts: no consistent partner with which to develop an understanding. As I’ve said before, I don’t care how good or bad a striker is, he needs a regular partner to be truly effective and Jankauskas has never had this. For me, when both Bednar and Jankauskas are fit, that’s Hearts’ best front two, but they are rarely given this opportunity.

So if this is indeed to be Jankauskas’ last season, I don’t think that there will be too many tears around Tynecastle. However I can’t help thinking that had he (and the rest of the squad) been managed properly, there most certainly would have been.