Reborn Ibrahim's Walking Tall

Sep 23 2007 By Gordon Waddell

Hearts V Dunfermline Tuesday, Kick-Off 7.45pm

IBRAHIM TALL last night revealed Hearts' new hunger has helped him forget the shattering breakdown of his escape from Tynecastle.

The 26-year-old had set his heart on a return to France with Strasbourg this summer but was stunned when a £400,000 bid was knocked back.

And things went from bad to worse when he fell out of the squad after a derby disaster in the SPL opener. But Tall's return sparked a run of three straight wins and - after enjoying the squad's morale-building trip to Lithuania - the Senegal international insists he won't be trying to bail out on the club before his deal runs out.

Hearts were brought back to the earth with a bang as they crashed at Inverness yesterday but Ibrahim remains confident.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's tricky CIS tie at home to Dunfermline, Tall said: "The club had a good offer from Strasbourg and I wanted to leave.

"But the owner asked for a lot of money and they didn't have it. I was disappointed at the time but I'm happy again and want to play as many games as I can this term.

"My contract is for this season only and I will be here until then but I've stopped thinking about going back to France now.

"I've spoken to the manager, I've told him I'm happy, I'm looking forward and if he puts me in the team I'll work hard.

"We have a good squad and can do well."

Tall admits the Jambos' resurgence has a lot to do with the smile on his face these days.

Last weekend's remarkable win over Rangers - including Tall's first goal of the season - is the highlight so far.

He said: "The team spirit was different. Last week going to Lithuania, staying together for a week, working hard, speaking about what was wrong, it worked.

"The spirit before wasn't good but now we have it back.

"We have to keep it because last Saturday shows how important it is. And the best thing for spirit is winning.

"I only played the first game of the season then missed a few and I know we didn't play well but I can't say what the problem was.

"We have a lot of different nationalities but we have to be one together. If the Lithuanian players all stay together or if I sit with only French players it's not good for the team.

"Talking about it has helped. We all know each other better after being away and we all worked harder for each other because of that."

Tall's return to his natural position at centre-half has also added to his feel good factor.

Despite never feeling comfortable in midfield he has been pitched in against his will and suffered as a result.

Tall said: "Midfield is not my position. I want to be a defender, I've told the manager and he's happy to play me there."

Meanwhile, Aaron Labonte admits the only reason he's getting a game for Dunfermline is because boss Stephen Kenny has no other choice.

The Pars have been hit with a defensive crisis that has seen stopper Labonte brought in from the cold.

And the Englishman hopes to use this chance to put himself in the shop window.

Labonte, frozen out last season by Kenny, said: "I've played the last couple of games because Scott Wilson, Greg Shields, Scott Thomson, Scott Morrison and Sol Bamba have all been out. Basically there are no other defenders.

"The manager said it was a chance to show what I can do.

"I was close to joining Derry in summer but it fell through.

"I'll do my best and every game is crucial with my deal up at the end of the season."