DANIEL STENDEL, the Hearts head coach, has confirmed he is considering whether to drop underperforming goalkeeper Joel Pereira for this evening’s Scottish Cup tie at Falkirk.
However, he is adamant any decision to make a change between the sticks would be a case of standard rotation rather than the on-loan Manchester United youngster’s errant displays.
Zdenek Zlamal could come in to the side for the fifth round tie against the Bairns, taking Pereira out of the line of fire following his woeful attempt to stop Kilmarnock’s third – and ultimately decisive – goal in Wednesday night’s 3-2 defeat.
The Portuguese custodian apologised for allowing Eamonn Brophy to ripple the net, however Stendel brushed aside suggestions that has forced him into a rethink regarding the number one position.
“Normally I’d do it [change goalkeeper] in the cup,” said Stendel. “It’s a special situation at the moment and we’ll decide together with [goalkeeping coach] Paul Gallacher. He knows the goalkeepers better than I do.
“He trains with them every day and we’ll make the decision together.
“It’s a little bit too easy to say it’s the goalkeeper’s fault right now. Yes, when he makes a mistake, everyone can see it in the stadium – but in a lot of games before he played very well too.
“At the moment it’s hard to accept some easy mistakes.
“We need to show we’re stronger than what’s coming from outside.”
Stendel also believes it is simplistic to suggest Hearts must alter their shape to stem the tide of opposition opportunities.
“The reason is not the shape,” he said. “The reason is our situation at the moment. Under pressure, we did not do what we said we would do, or how we trained.”
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