Hearts midfielder Larry Kingston has declared himself fit and ready to play in Saturday’s match against Rangers at Tynecastle.
The Ghanaian has missed each of the past four matches with a curious-sounding injury that many fans were questioning the validity of, and during that time the team has done considerably well in his absence, winning each of these matches by a single goal.
However Kingston would appear to have resolved any differences he had with his manager Csaba Laszlo, and although the team’s results have been impressive lately without him, he is bound to be
considered for a starting place in a fixture that’s going to need Hearts’ most talented players to be at their best.
The player said:
‘I’m 100 per cent fit, all the pain in my thigh is gone now. I’ve trained all week so everything is fine. Whether I start or not depends on the manager. I’m ready if he asks me to start, or I’m also ready if he puts me on the bench. He is the boss.
‘It’s going to be tough because Rangers is a very good team. We have won four games in a row so that is going to give us a little more confidence to match them. Professional football is about three points. Even if you play bad football and grab the three points, that’s the main thing.’
Of the much-publicised criticism by Laszlo of his recent trip to Ghana on international duty whilst being injured, Larry continued:
‘There are no problems, everything is okay now. I’ve worked with the manager throughout this week so everything is fine. If I get the call from my nation, I have to honour that invitation. It’s my country, I cannot turn my back on my country.
‘I still have a contract with Hearts and I’m happy to be here. Hearts have a good squad and they have won four games without me, but I’m confident that I can come back and get my place now.’
If he does come straight back into the side, then he’ll need to make sure that he pulls his weight. I think we all acknowledge that in terms of raw technical ability, Larry is as good a player as Hearts have on their books, but we cannot afford to retain his services if he’s only going to play when he feels like it. However if he does decide to get his finger out and play to the best of his abilities, then he can be the match winner in a game like Saturday – let’s hope he opts to do just that.
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I personally think he is putting himself in the shop window, so to speak.
Wouldn’t disagree with you…..
Cherry-picking the more high profile games to showcase his talents – sickening really.
……… however, if this is the case then presumably he’ll play out of his skin which is good for us. On the other hand, what does it say to whoever loses their place. A tricky one for the manager but that’s why he’s employed.
Yes fair enough let’s see how he performs but I can’t help thinking there’s an arrogance here (which is sometimes a good thing in a football player) but on this occasion it?s misdirected. If our suspicions are accurate then he is not respecting the club or his fellow players.
I am interested in Csaba?s comments around individuality being good only in relation to the team and particularly the comment about it?s good to dribble but only if you do it with the team in mind (I?m paraphrasing quite badly here). Anyway it?s hard not to think that Csaba wasn?t talking about Kingston indirectly, as the team isn?t full of talent of this sort. Kingston is an individual alright and he can hold the ball, but he needs to buckle down and focus on the team when he is on the pitch as well as off. He is far better than Ruben, but I think it would be good if Csaba would let Ruben start anyway and brought Kingston on halfway through and that would hopefully make the point. Possible a gamble, but hey ho. By the way I am still sulking over Stewart?s ability to get red cards… particularly now when the Rangers game is coming up. Spoiled brat!
Hmm not sure about playing Ruben to be honest – far too lightweight against a physical side like Rangers. Even Larry hardly trying is a better bet there to be honest. I’d probably be happy enough if this swap is made and Jonsson retains his place and moves into the centre.
I understand all your suspicions, but when a journo sticks a microphone under a player’s nose and asks something like “Larry, after the manager being unhappy that you flew to Ghana when you were injured, are you now fit enough to play on Saturday? ” … then what else is he likely to say ? I suspect the club will actively try to sell him in January to get some money (and reduce the wage bill), but lets get right behind him in the meantime – if he considers himself in the shop window, then hopefully he’ll try a bit harder, and show more of the considerable skill he has.
Here’s a question, folks – if Kingston does play on Saturday and has a blinder, does that confirm the suspicions that he’s been ‘at it’ all season? Or just a coincidence because he delivers in say one in four games?
The thing that has always gotten me about Kingston is his inability to keep his form going for a prolonged amount of time. Hartley had bads days or weeks for Hearts but he always looked like he was trying. I know they are two different types of player but Kingston to me is either on his game or way off and looks like he can’t be bothered. Stewart has always struck me as being a bit like this and couple this with his rash behaviour it can be really frustrating watching the midfield. Ultimately the coach and the captain need to grab these players by the scruff of the neck and shake them until they realise they are playing like children having a kickabout, without the passion.
An article in the Daily Record today suggests that in order to prove that he wasn’t faking it Kingston is prepared to sign for Hearts ….. for life!! Aye right Larry – we weren’t born yesterday!
I read that too, it was next to a story about Berra going to Rangers or Fulham. Also I notice we are keeping our options open on what to do with Elliot… Does this mean he is definitely our new striker in January? After all Csaba said getting Aguiar back from injury was like having a new player!!!
The Elliot news seems to have been updated with a story in the Scotsman about him being free to look for other clubs in January. This means we absolutely need another striker (if that wasn’t already painfully obvious to a blind man!) with Tullberg and Mole injured and Makela only getting 2.5 minutes every 10 games or so!
I have to say that I do remember Kingston saying that he loved it over here and wanted to finish his career in Edinburgh. I think it was last season when he was asked about the difference between Moscow and Edinburgh. He said more or less the same thing that he is committed to Hearts and his wife and kid loves it here and that they all disliked Moscow (due to the racism). But I agree with the idea that Kingston and Stewart are inconstant and that is frustrating in the long run, particularly when the young guys are giving it their best.
SJ – I suspect that when a player says he wants to finish his career at Hearts, its the verbal equivalent to kissing the badge – something to be taken with a pinch of salt. And in Kingston’s case, you can undertand why he would say that – he probably can’t believe his luck that a wee club in Scotland would rescue him from the frozen wastes of racist Russia AND pay him £15,000 a week too (allegedly) !!
Apparently evil Romanov has not paid the players again… Seen pictured killing puppies whilst smiling and laughing at not having paid the players.
It worked last time, didn’t it ? We won, and the players then got paid. Let’s hope for a similar outcome !!
Hearts have invoked their loan rule to prevent Elliot from playing in the cup… Possibly to stop him from becoming cup tied if he were to return? Of course they could be ensuring other teams wont buy him cup tied making him a more palatable prospect to any suitors. Apparently Csaba has identified 4 players to come in and eight that can leave also.