Source: Team_Talk
Striker strife sounds familiar to boss
Laszlo takes his side to Ibrox in the SPL on Saturday to face a Light Blues team which will be missing injured top scorers Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller.[LNB]The Hearts boss believes his opposite number Walter Smith is now getting a small taste of what he has been through for the last 18 months.[LNB]Laszlo's forward line has been plagued by injury and poor form since he took charge, while his desperate pleas for the board to sign a striker in the last two transfer windows have so far fallen on deaf ears.[LNB]He said today: "I saw Rangers say, 'We have a big problem in the striker position'.[LNB]"We have the advantage: we've know this (problem) in the last 18 months![LNB]"I know that they've lost some good strikers.[LNB]"Boyd and Miller in the last seven games were the best strikers in form in the Scottish league.[LNB]"On the other hand, their squad is big and strong enough and Walter Smith is a very good manager."[LNB]Laszlo insisted today he had not given up hope of bringing in players before the transfer window closes.[LNB]He has already missed out on the loan signing of Izale McLeod and the same looks likely with Steven MacLean, despite both having trained with the club earlier this month.[LNB]Laszlo appeared to betray his true feelings on the issue when he insisted the return of injured stars like Andrew Driver and Craig Thomson would be like making a new signing.[LNB]"For me, Driver will be a new player," he said.[LNB]"A new player also will be maybe Craig Thomson."[LNB]He added: "I must put all my energy in the actual squad which keeps this position and keeps this attitude which we now have.[LNB]"I could bring for you names - five, six, seven, eight names - but it doesn't help me, it doesn't help the club.[LNB]"I think maybe something can happen - I hope."[LNB]Despite his obvious frustration at the club's refusal to sanction new signings this month, Laszlo said: "The most important thing is not to lose a sense of humour![LNB]"And try to smile.[LNB]"This is what no-one can take from me, the smile."[LNB]Laszlo is hopeful of not having to sell players before the end of the current window, which he believes should have shut last week.[LNB]"At the moment, I don't have information that somebody will be sold," he said.[LNB]"Most clubs have ended their intention to buy, buy, buy.[LNB]"This transfer window for January is open too long.[LNB]"A lot of clubs and a lot of managers don't concentrate on the team - they try to buy and to sell.[LNB]"If you have it open for two weeks, this is enough."[LNB]Laszlo added: "In the first year, I lost so much energy in January trying to find somebody to bring here.[LNB]"Nobody came.[LNB]"Now, I think a little bit differently."[LNB]Despite his signing woes, Laszlo takes his fifth-placed side to the SPL leaders this weekend having claimed 13 of the last 15 points on offer.[LNB]"Rangers have 20 points more," he said.[LNB]"I think they had just two points more in the last six games."[LNB]Laszlo added: "There is always the possibility to make a surprise.[LNB]"I don't have any problem playing against big clubs - this must always be a big pleasure for a club which is maybe not a giant."[LNB][LNB]
