Mikel Arteta can’t believe Ben White has been snubbed for an England call-up because he’s so comfy at both full back and centre back.
Listening to the Arsenal boss earlier in the week he might as well have been talking about Stephen Kingsley and Scotland. For the life of me I can’t understand why the Hearts defender isn’t preparing to take on Ukraine at Hampden this evening.
Especially since Grant Hanley has pulled out of the original squad injured. Stephen can play centre half or left back equally well and that versatility is huge at international level. He is quick, strong and never seems to be in bother because of the way he reads the game. He was outstanding again in Sunday’s win at Motherwell. Not only as part of a defensive unit that soaked up so much pressure but his pass for the third goal was exquisite.
It’s hard enough to see that pass at pitch level but to execute it with the perfect weight in between the midfielder and defenders? Pure class. He’s simply a very good footballer. And apart from all that I see a player that team mates look to as a leader and for inspiration.
I know what people will say here - he’s anti-Hibs, blah, blah - but I would have Stephen Kingsley ahead of Ryan Porteous all day long. Porteous has been a very good player for Hibs. He’s a talent.
But over the last year and a half Stephen has been one of Hearts’ best players in a side that cruised to third, got into a cup final and is now competing in Europe. I’d say he’s a better full-back than Greg Taylor too. What a free transfer he’s been. You’d pay heavy money for him now.
Listen, Steve Clarke was my old manager in the youth set-up at Chelsea and I have massive respect for him and what he’s done for the national team.
But I’m astonished he’s not called on Stephen. Or for that matter Barrie McKay. I thought it would be a shoe in for both of them to be called up simply because of the level they’ve been playing at consistently.
I know Barrie faces stiff competition in his position but his performances warrant being in the squad - he’s added goals to the assists and is producing on a weekly basis. On the other hand they’ve both got enough on their plate with Hearts right now at home and in Europe so maybe a few days off will be beneficial even if they’d rather have been away with Scotland.
It’s up to them to keep playing at that level and prove people wrong. Eventually they will get in that squad. Performances like the last two away to Rigas FS and Motherwell certainly won’t do any harm.
Hearts have come through a sticky patch and produced two superb results. Any win away from home in Europe is massive. RFS might not be a household name but they’re the Latvian champions and we’ve seen Celtic and Rangers struggle away to so-called minnows in Europe.
To back that 2-0 win up three days later with a 3-0 victory at Fir Park - where Hearts have a terrible record of late - was really impressive. Robbie Neilson said it himself - three goals made in Ayr. Make that five as Alan Forrest and Lawrence Shankland have netted all five of the goals in those last two games.
As an Ayrshire Jambo and former Somerset Park team mate of Alan’s nobody is happier than me to see them producing the goods together in maroon. They did it so often in black and white. Hopefully it carries on after the international break and when the Europa Conference League resumes.
Fiorentina coming to Gorgie? It takes me right back to watching Channel 4’s Football Italia as a kid. Gabriel Batistuta and that purple strip.. this is the stuff of dreams.
You never know what will happen either. Fiorentina aren’t in great form. One thing for sure though is that the atmosphere will be thunderous.
Gary Locke phoned me yesterday to ask if I’d do hospitality at the home game. Quicker than you can say Lockey I said okay. I can’t wait.
It’s a Q&A session with the supporters before the game but as soon as that first whistle blows the shirt and tie will be off and my Hearts strip pulled on. At the end of the day I’m a fan now too. But what I’d give to be out there taking on the Serie A superstars.
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