ADJUSTING to a peripheral role with Hearts has left Ruben Palazuelos decidedly frustrated, so much so that he will consider leaving Tynecastle if his personal circumstances don't change.
Tonight's Co-operative Insurance Cup meeting with First Division Airdrie United assumes great significance for the Spaniard. In short, it's his chance to impress manager Csaba Laszlo.
Hearts are expected to utilise their squad strength in a compet
ition often considered the lesser of Scotland's major three, allowing the likes of Palazuelos and similarly inactive colleagues like Eggert Jonsson, Deividas Cesnauskis and Christian Nade valuable game time.
The rarity of the opportunity must be overlooked if those on the field are to convince Laszlo of their worth. Both Palazuelos and Jonsson have found themselves relegated to substitute roles in favour of Christos Karipidis this season and it must be said that the Greek's performances have been nothing other than assured in an unfamiliar holding midfield berth.
However, that is of no consolation to those watching from the sidelines. Palazuelos became accustomed to being a first-team regular with 34 appearances for Hearts last season but he has yet to leave the technical area since the new campaign started. Continually sitting on the bench is upsetting the player, who spoke to the Evening News to outline the need for change one way or another.
"I like Hearts, I like Edinburgh, I'm very happy here. But I'm a professional footballer and I want to play," he said. "If it's not possible for me to play here and I'm getting nothing, maybe I can speak with another team and go. I need to play. I just hope the situation changes after a few more games.
"It's difficult because I haven't played for the last three games. I was suspended for the Motherwell match but I haven't been involved in the other two. I'm not happy, that's normal. The season is very long and there are plenty games to come.
"I hope to play tonight, I feel it's possible and I want to play well. Normally there would be four or five changes for a game like this because the season is so long and players who played the last three games will need to recover. I will wait to see the team.
"I feel good, although not playing is a problem. I'm not in the starting 11 but this is normal because the team has been good in the last three games. Two wins in three games is a good start. However, I don't understand why I haven't played at all. The decision is for the manager. I am doing training and more training and I feel a little bit angry.
"I like this manager, Csaba Laszlo. He speaks with the players, training is always with the ball and his style is good for me. It's a surprise that I haven't played at all, not even 20 or 30 I minutes.
"For now, my head is only thinking about Hearts. This is a big game. Maybe the people say it's an easy game because we play Airdrie and they are in the First Division, but it's a big game for me and a big game for Hearts. It's important to get to the next round."
It could be argued that tonight's encounter is more significant for Palazuelos than his club. A midweek cup tie at home to lower league opponents provides the chance for Laszlo to indulge in some moderate experimentation, particularly in midfield where Karipidis and Michael Stewart are expected to sit out.
"Eggert Jonsson is making good development. In the future we will give him more chances, maybe even at right-back," said Laszlo. "Ruben is a good football player who played a little bit more last year. At the moment, there is competition and he must work to come in the team. Tonight he has a 100 per cent chance to play."
Ironically, one of Palazuelos' most impressive early performances in maroon came in tonight's competition, the CIS Insurance Cup as was its previous guise. Against Dunfermline at Tynecastle last September, he replaced Stewart after 29 minutes and offered an intelligent array of passing and movement throughout the remainder of normal time and extra-time as Hearts laboured before eventually securing a 4-1 victory.
It was a night which properly indicated the player's potential, the catalyst for him later becoming a mainstay of the side under Stephen Frail.
"It's like last season again," recalled Palazuelos. "At the start, I hardly played for two months. Then I played a little and then more and stayed in the team. It's only three games into the season but I need to play from the start. When I don't play my confidence is less. I'm a professional so when I don't play I do more training.
"I haven't spoken to the manager. There is no need. The manager sees me training and he can see what I do. When I play I am happy but I don't need to speak with the manager. If I can play from the start tonight it gives me a chance. If I play well and the team wins, it's important for me and Hearts because the manager will see my confidence. Maybe then I can start the next game.
"I respect the manager and the other players because we have more players who have a situation like me. They haven't played at all and have not even been on the bench. The team is playing well but if I get a chance tonight I want to play well and stay in the team."
Palazuelos could never be accused of being a selfish footballer, but tonight he looks after number one in the hope of reclaiming his place at Hearts.
The full article contains 968 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
