STOCK CZECH

Celts will soon find out what they've got with Cvancara as striker is thrown in at deep end

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TOMAS CVANCARA says he's ready for Tynecastle. But he has been fired into a tough spot.

The fact it took 22 days of January for the hitman to be announced was at least 21 too many.

It isn't his fault, yet it is hardly ideal preparation for being plunged into a game of this magnitude.

Cvancara reckons he’s good to go. In fairness, he isn't really going to say anything else.

Celtic may need some freshness after the gruelling exploits in Bologna but, if he starts, relying on the Czech to hit the ground running is unfair.

I listened to Martin O'Neill speaking in Italy about the boy, stating that he was not the answer to all problems and that he’s not expecting miracles.

It was classic Martin. You don't need to tell me about his man-management skills. None of it was a slight on Cvancara. I saw it as a subtle way of trying to ease some of the pressure.

Unfortunately, it will make little difference to expectations.

Celtic fans had been left so desperate for anew hitman due the time it took their club to finally land one that it only heaps more ofa burden onto the new signing.

The punters want an instant impact. You can't blame them, they've had to wait long enough to see anew striker.

In one way, it represents a monumental opportunity for Cvancara. Go into a top-of-the-table clash, run riot, bag a crucial goal and it's an absolutely perfect start.

But, by the same token, if he’s handed a start and gets dominated by Craig Halkett and Stuart Findlay, he'll be judged straight away by some. That's life in Glasgow.

It's a strain not of his making given the fact he has just walked in the door and that's a tough place to be.