VISITING Ibrox three times in a season is enough to leave any Hearts supporter discontented, so spare a thought for Calum Elliot's predicament.
The young striker will doorstep Rangers for the fourth time tomorrow as his familiarity with Govan verges on the obscene.
Elliot's loan spell at Motherwell earlier in the campaign included a trip to Rangers last October, when he played in a creditable 1-1 draw for Maurice Malpas' side.
He was also involved in Hearts' 2-0 defeat there in August and the 0-0 draw between the teams in January.
A further outing this weekend will mean the 20-year-old has totalled more Ibrox appearances than any other visiting SPL player this season.
Statistics like that could normally have a destabilising impact on a player still seeking to develop his burgeoning career but Elliot appears to take the challenge in his stride.
Hearts have steadfastly refused to make an issue of the inane SPL split structure which has dispatched them to Ibrox for a third time in one campaign, in contrast with Rangers' singular visit to Tynecastle.
Elliot is of a similar mindset, hoping to return from a hip injury this weekend to augment his club's quest for the UEFA Cup.
"To play Rangers three times at Ibrox would be difficult enough, but, because this is my fourth time going there, I realise that you need the right attitude to come away with something," said Elliot.
"Drawing 1-1 there with Motherwell was a decent result although it is two different situations. We're trying to get the UEFA Cup spot with Hearts and we're giving everything towards that. Motherwell were battling against relegation and every point was vital for their cause.
"The Hearts game in January wasn't the best in terms of quality but we'd take that scoreline again tomorrow.
"To go there and get a point would be a reasonable result for us, so we'll be trying for that at least. If we perform, we're certainly capable of it.
"When you go to Rangers or Celtic, you have to hope they don't perform to their best and that you go there and give it your all.
"It's always like that. If that happens tomorrow we have a great chance of taking not just a point, but maybe three.
"
In respect of Hearts' next fixture following Rangers, which is Celtic at Parkhead, anything garnered from Glasgow this weekend would be extremely useful.
Anatoli Korobochka will encounter the most stringent examinations of his tenure as interim head coach over the next two games as he strives to close the three-point deficit on third-placed Aberdeen.
Elliot, a boyhood Hearts fan, is acutely aware of the motivation for achieving third place and the UEFA Cup qualification which it carries.
He also has a personal reason for willing the club back into European competition for next season.
"Being sent on loan to Motherwell and missing some of the European games last year was one of my biggest disappointments and it took me a while to get over it," he said.
"Everybody worked so hard last season so the club could be involved in those games and it was a big setback for me.
"I felt I played my part last season, trying to help the team into that position in the first place.
"Now we have to try to make sure we achieve Europe again for next season, and hopefully this time I can get involved.
"Everybody knows what's at stake.
We are three points behind Aberdeen so we need to take as much as possible from these next five matches.
"We have to try and get something from Rangers and Celtic, which would be a massive boost psychologically going into the final three games."
Elliot's recuperation from his hip problem continued on Tuesday when he played 90 minutes of the reserve defeat to St Mirren.
His duels with the veteran defensive due of Kevin McGowne and Andy Millen brought a combative edge to the match as well as providing a useful yardstick with which to measure the condition of the injury.
"It's getting better day by day, so hopefully it's nearing perfect condition. After playing in the reserves on Tuesday, I want at least a place on the bench tomorrow, and then I can push for a start over the next few weeks.
"
The moderate success of Korobochka's 4-5-1 formation during recent matches, when Hibs and Kilmarnock have been defeated by 1-0 scorelines, would appear to hinder the striker's case for a starting place. His recent lack of first-team match practice could also prove to be an impediment tomorrow.
Andrius Velicka, the Lithuanian striker who is Hearts' top goalscorer this season, is in line to undertake the lone forward's role against Rangers, leaving a substitutes' role the best Elliot can realistically hope for.
Nonetheless, his versatility brings certain additional options for the management team if required. Elliot added: "I've played in midfield before for Hearts and Scotland and it's something I enjoy doing. I like playing in behind the strikers.
I'm just grateful when I'm in the team regardless of my position because playing is all that matters.
"It's not really up to me to say to Anatoli or Stevie Frail that I can play here or there. If they want to use me in any role then I'll happily play there and try to do a job for the team.
"The 4-5-1 system is what they've been using in recent weeks and they've got results with it, so they might stick by that approach tomorrow. No-one knows what we're doing yet. If I'm not playing from the start then I just hope I get a chance to come on and make a difference.
I think that's what everybody in the squad is looking to do."
Then, come full-time, Elliot will surely hope to free himself from the shackles of Ibrox until next season.
Want to read yourself in print?
Every day the Evening News publishes a selection of online comments on the letters page of the paper. Pick up a copy to see if your views have been published.
Will Hearts ever score at ibronx .
?
They aint so far .
Think you'll find Hearts have scored plenty goals at Ibrox.
What is your point, if you have one?
Calm down Gazza,
You didn't say this season so I simply put you right.
As for Hampden on Tuesday night, are there any tickets left for the Hibs end?
Come to think about it, I'll renege your kind invitation and watch the Man U v AC Milan game in the pub instead with most of my Hibs pals. Fortunately, they all have some brains and we can communicate in a civilized manner.
Enjoy your night out, hope it doesn't go to ET PK's!
I'll second your comments!
Gazza, ur an inbreed and I feel sorry for you.
After your performences over that last 2 seasons your team have no right to rip into noone!..
...
.I know what your comeback will be however look at the bigger picture and how far we were behind your team 3 seasons ago.
Hearts are a disgrace even yam fuds admit it .
how much you spent on players . thought you where getting top coach . frail who the hell is frail .
dont dare mock me you zump !
hibs for the scottish
Gazza you have just confirmed yourself as an erse.
!!!
/ 3:40pm 20 Apr 2007! not a lot i expect ..
...
.
Are all hibbies born thick, or is it an inbred thing ??
?. Wow u sign a 16 year old.
Boys against men ahhh.
13 / BOYS GROW INTO MEN .
lithuanians grow into tottie pickers .
who thick now !
GGTTH
kenny haha !
are you about six !
Oh Gazza ...
that last comment (#15) really takes the biscuit.
Have you read the drivel you, yourself, post, e.g.
#8?
#14?
I've an idea - why don't we just stop posting and let Gazza post to his heart's content.
The more we reply to him, the more he is just going to annoy us.
By goodness Elliot returns at Ibrox.That surely will put the fear of death into the huns.
Give me strengh.It`s an indicement of this hopeless crew that that this appology for a footballer is even wearing a Hearts jersey.They have a long way to go till they have a real challenge to the old firm.
The sad point is with a bit of money and the correct coaches we could do something.Till that happens it will be non descript headlines like this.I`m off to have a beer to cool down.
News RSS