Top six a must for Hearts' Templeton

Last updated : 27 March 2010 By TwoTonTed
JJ is hopeful that vice-captain Marius Zaliukas will be able to play at least a part in today's game against Rangers. The defender has been out for a month with a hamstring tear but was back training this week and could get on the pitch at some stage if there is no reaction to his injury. There are stil doubts over Calum Elliot and Arvydas Novikovas , while Michael Stewart (calf), Jose Goncalves (thigh), Dawid Kucharski, Ismael Bouzid (both hamstring), Marian Kello (hand), Johnny Stewart (knee) and Ryan Wallace are all out of contention. David Templeton wants to have the chance to play Rangers for a forth time this season so is keener than ever to beat them today. A top-six finish would allow Templeton and his team mates to take on both sides of the Old Firm and another chance to ruin Hibs season by beating them again. St Johnstone are lurking closely with a game in hand which could allow them to overtake the Jambos.

Templeton does not even want to contemplate post-split fixtures against the likes of Falkirk, Hamilton and St Mirren. The 21-year-old forward believes it is imperative to finish in the top-six after grabbing third place last year. He said: "It's massive, especially after where we finished last season. We'd love to be up there with the bigger teams, getting to the split and playing Rangers and Celtic.'' Templeton will be hoping for a rare start after impressing as a substitute in two of his last three appearances. He scored his first goal for the club against Hamilton last month and followed that up with a consolation strike in the recent defeat at Motherwell. He said: "I've not really had much of a chance. I've come on in a few games and I've scored a couple of goals. It's helped my confidence as well under the new manager. Hopefully, I can get a few more chances under him.'' Templeton thinks that Rangers will not be the same side that lost to Dundee United on Wednesday in the Active Nation Scottish Cup and expects the big game players to feature. He said: "I think they'll bring back all their big players. They were obviously just giving their players a rest after the game (Co-operative Insurance Cup final) on Sunday. They went down to nine men so they'll all have been tired.''