JAMIE MacDONALD isn't likely to over-estimate his importance to Hearts. Dressing-room jibes prior to Saturday's victory over Rangers centred around him only being wheeled out for big games, however the goalkeeper now expects to be returned to cold storage.
The sum total of MacDonald's Hearts first-team career is two appearances against Rangers, the first at Ibrox back in August – hence the jokes from team-mates.
His final outing of last season's loan spell with Queen of the South was at Hampden in
the Scottish Cup final. Just for good measure, the opponents were Rangers.
"It seems I only play against Rangers now," he laughed. "Saturday was third time lucky for me because it's the first time I've played in a winning team against them.
"My first-team experiences with Hearts have both come against them. The boys were giving me a bit of stick before the game saying that was me getting dusted off for the Rangers game again. Having said that, I'll now be put back in hiding again."
He may well be correct provided Janos Balogh overcomes flu in time for this Saturday's visit to Motherwell. But Hearts could do worse than persist with MacDonald, a man who favours traditional British goalkeeping values like catching as opposed to punching.
"It's fair to say I'm half expecting to drop out the team again," he continued. "Obviously, I'd love to stay in but I wouldn't criticise the gaffer if he took me out because Janos hasn't been off form. It's just unfortunate he had the flu.
"I honestly don't know what the manager will do. As long as I do well when I'm called upon. I thought I did okay on Saturday but I think Janos being ill is different to him being out as a result of a few bad games.
"If he is ill I think you might have to give him some leeway and the option to come back because he hasn't done anything wrong either. It's just a case of me working hard and pushing Janos and Marian (Kello] for the number one position."
Being chosen ahead of Kello for Saturday's engagement is a source of encouragement for the 22-year-old. The Slovakian has performed admirably since arriving on loan from FBK Kaunas but, perhaps mindful of MacDonald's faultless display in August's 2-0 defeat at Ibrox, manager Csaba Laszlo chose the Scottish option.
"It's been a funny season to be honest. Last time I was in was against Rangers, then I was out again," said MacDonald, speaking exclusively to the Evening News. "I've been kind of up and down but it was a boost getting to play on Saturday, especially ahead of Marian. The win was an extra bonus.
"The manager didn't explain why he went with me instead of Marian. We found out at the team meeting who was playing. I knew Janos was ill so I knew this time I had a chance.
"My adrenalin was really pumping. It's the first time I've played at Tynecastle and it was electric. We played really well in the first half and played some good football. Rangers were on top in the second half without creating a lot. We defended brilliantly, we were compact and looked a real good unit.
"I think this result avenges that defeat at Ibrox, although you want to win every game. You take three points whenever you can get them."
MacDonald's future as one of three goalkeepers at Hearts is anything but certain. His contract expires at the end of this season and, as of January 1, he is free to speak to any interested party about moving as a free agent next summer.
The urge for regular first-team football is beginning to take hold but, given the choice, he would prefer to extend his stay at Tynecastle. He was reared by Hearts' highly regarded youth academy and grew up in the shadow of one of his predecessors, Craig Gordon, after joining the professional ranks in 2003. At an age when most goalkeepers are augmenting their talents at first-team level, reserve football is now practically useless to MacDonald.
"You want to play at the end of the day," he said. "You accept some knocks here and there when you aren't playing. I've played a few times against Rangers this year but I don't get too carried away. I also make sure I don't go too low if things aren't going my way.
"Morale has been fine generally. Hearts is a good place to be just now, the manager has got the team winning and the club is good. The players all get on and there is quite a good team spirit now.
"I want to play every week if I can and if I get the opportunity in the team I want to do well. Hopefully the management see I did well on Saturday and that I'm working hard in training.
"I've spoken to the manager a few times and he always says he needs three keepers at the club. I understand that because a big club needs three goalkeepers to avoid being short due to injuries or suspensions.
"He is always reassuring me that it's between the three of us and whoever is doing the best will play. He has always made sure I'm part of everything.
"I haven't even thought about talking to other teams. I'll take things as they come and see what happens at the end of the season. I'm concentrating on trying to stay in the team.
"I definitely want to stay, the defence is doing really well and when that happens it makes the goalkeeper look good too. I'd love to stay in the team and help keep this momentum. It's going to be a difficult month with three away games at Motherwell, Celtic and Aberdeen. I want to stay in and push for the number one place."
MacDonald has adapted well when brought in from the cold this season and certainly possesses that oft-discussed big-game mentality. Nonetheless, being frozen out no longer appeals to this ambitious and highly capable goalkeeper.
The full article contains 1032 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
