MX23RW : Sunday, May 12 12:26:36| >> :600:316185:316185:

Craig Levein trying to ensure Hearts have strongest side available for cup final

Craig Levein trying to ensure Hearts have strongest side available for cup final
© Reuters
The Jambos have two games before the showdown with Celtic at Hampden.

Craig Levein plans to wrap his key Hearts players in cotton wool before unleashing them for one last big push against Celtic at Hampden.

The Jambos take on the Hoops in the William Hill Scottish Cup final on May 25 and Levein is determined to ensure he has his strongest side available.

Before that, the Gorgie outfit still have Friday night's trip to Pittodrie and the cup final dress rehearsal at Celtic Park on the last day of the Ladbrokes Premiership season to come.

But Levein is not willing to take any risks with his top stars, even if it means players such as powerhouse striker Uche Ikpeazu and midfielder Peter Haring do not appear again until his side walk out at the national stadium.

"I'll make some changes over the next couple of games for sure," said Levein. "There are some people who need matches and others who could do with a break.

"That's the challenge working back the way from the game at Hampden.

"What's encouraging for me is that when it comes to the cup final, I believe we've got one more big performance in us and that's what we're looking for.

"Looking at us sporadically over the last wee while, we've picked up a few results when we needed to. We haven't been at our best recently but I do believe we can pull out a performance when needed.

"If I can make sure everybody who I feel can help us on that particular day is fit and available, then that will give us the best chance possible.

"For some it may mean playing more over the next two matches and for others it could be playing one or even none of those last two league games."

Hearts have failed to win 10 of their last 14 games and the frustrated Tynecastle faithful's patience is starting to wear thin.

Levein knows a win against Derek McInnes' Aberdeen this week would ease the pressure but he is willing to sacrifice building up momentum to ensure there are no repeats of this season's injury setbacks.

He said: "I'd like to be in great form going into the final but if we're not, I'm not particularly concerned about that.

"We've proved we can raise our game for particular matches and that's what we'll need to do.

"If that is the case then it's incumbent on me we get as many players fit and available so selection can be from a wide band."

Ikpeazu damaged a hamstring last week against Kilmarnock while Haring has been dealing with a troublesome groin complaint for some time.

But Levein is confident both will be on the bus to Hampden.

The Scot, who confirmed Steven Naismith's cup final hopes are over, said: "Uche's better. He won't make Friday so the plan would be that he plays in the first Celtic game. If he doesn't, then we'll keep him for the final.

"Peter is improving but won't play on Friday either. He's not outside running yet, that starts next week, so it depends how he reacts whether we play him in the two games against Celtic or just the final."


Click here for more stories about Craig Levein

Click here for more stories about Hearts

Share this article now:
Craig Levein in charge of Hearts on April 13, 2019
Read Next:
Levein "quite confident" over Ikpeazu fitness
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
/esi/758/0/index.html - esi:0:site:0:-p-: {0}: - :T758:-: {0}: < ! - - T  758 {0} - - >  : 
Premier League
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
League One Playoffs
League Two Playoffs
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Eredivisie
Primeira Liga
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League Playoffs
Belgian Pro League Playoffs
Norwegian Eliteserien
Russian Premier League
Swedish Allsvenskan
Swiss Super League
Ukrainian Premier League
Segunda Division
2.Bundesliga
Major League Soccer
Brasileiro
Uruguayan Primera Division
A-League Finals
Chinese Super League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37312491226995
2Liverpool37297187226594
3Chelsea37218863392471
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs372311365372870
5Arsenal372071070502067
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd37199965521366
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37169124744357
8Everton37158145244853
9Leicester CityLeicester37156165148351
10Watford37148155155-450
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham37147164854-649
12Crystal Palace37137174650-446
13Bournemouth37136185365-1245
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle37119173848-1042
15Burnley37117194465-2140
16Southampton37911174464-2038
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3799193456-2236
RCardiff CityCardiff3794243269-3731
RFulham3775253477-4326
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3736282175-5415

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account