Arguably the biggest plus in Hearts’ 1-0 victory over St Johnstone at Tynecastle yesterday was the performance of Craig Thomson, who was restored by Jim Jefferies to the right back position that has so far been Eggert Jonsson’s for the majority of the season.
When Thomson was given his first opportunity to play for the Hearts first team a couple of years ago (thrown in at the deep end in a European tie against Dinamo Zagreb) , he very quickly showed everyone just how much potential he had. Here was a confident lad who appeared to have everything that a modern full back should possess: pace, skill, a real competitive edge and fantastic ball-striking, either from dead-ball or on-the-run situations.
As tends to happen with many young players though, after an initial run of games when Thomson was a stand-out player, his form dipped a little and unfortunately since then he has had injuries and other off-field problems to contend with, which has resulted in him being a bit-part player so far under Jim Jefferies.
But it was really great to see him back yesterday. His energetic bursts up and down the right flank helped to give the team a real shot in the arm, with another player restored to the starting line-up – Suso – also having a similar impact upon proceedings.
Eggert Jonsson has been the Hearts right back so far this season, and while he has for the most part done well in a position that is probably not his strongest, he has definitely been exposed as a weak link lately. It was therefore a sensible time to try re-introducing Thomson to the side, and yesterday’s performance will have given the manager a pleasant reminder that he does have a young player in his squad more than capable of making the right back position his own.
The quandary that JJ now has of course, is whether or not to restore Jonsson at Ibrox on Wednesday or continue with Thomson. Personally I’d like to see him persist with Thomson as I feel his performance yesterday merits it, but I guess it all depends whether or not JJ feels he is mentally up for the challenge of Ibrox at this stage. Hopefully the answer is ‘yes’ and he can pick up from where he left off yesterday, as we’re going to need a hell of a performance on Wednesday to have any chance of getting a similar result to the one we got just over a week ago at Tynecastle….
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The “problem” with Craig is that he isn’t a great defender. He is brilliant as you say at running down the line, and has one of the sweetest crosses in the Scottish game, but defensively he is still weak. Having said that, Eggy is best deployed in the middle of the park so there aren’t too many options. Against wingers or teams with a lot of attacking skill (like Rangers) he would be quickly identified as a weak point and it be exploited. We can get away with it against the Kilmarnocks and St Johnstones of this world, but not the top two.
The problem is that Jonsson was ripped apart by the Old Firm as well in the last 2 games, so we don’t have many viable alternatives at right back do we? Wouldn’t want this to happen to CT as well though as that could set him back to square one.
Eggert or Adrian might well be needed in defensive midfield at Ibrox. CT did very well yesterday, so probably deserves to keep his place. I just hope Rudi concentrates on his own game, and doesn’t become “involved” like he did at Parkhead. He’s a massively important player for us – we need to him at his best.
Agree 100% there.
for me its Craig at RB all the way if for no other reason than Eggy was tormented by both rangers and celtic in the last week. I disagree that Craig is not a good defender, he’s not a big guy like the centre backs but thats fine. I seem to remember when he broke through and won the young player of the month awards Csaba (it was him right?!) said he expected him to become a right midfielder, I think he looks more of a pushing full back, but maybe in time – ?
For once I agree with Csaba, ptown_jambo. Craig’s attacking ability is much greater than his defensive ability – he’s like a young Roberto Carlos in style.
I like Jonsson but he’s clearly not a RB and in that case we potentially expose ourselves every time we play him there. Granted he was doing a decent job earlier in the season and I wonder if this is why JJ persisted – not wanting to break up a settled back 4. I hope Craig Thomson stays in (where’s Jason Thompson these days?)
Jason Thompson is injured.
Do any of you rate Jason T? I see him as almost a clone of Robbie Neilson……but less effective. Read into that what you will……..!
i bumped into robbie neilson in the walkers stadium back in november (the same day my mate nearly took out robbie savage with a set of bagpipes! fun times!) , he seemed to be doing a very effective job of getting into a lift while the game was on. I expect he’ll be back in scotland next year.