Laszlo and Kingston appear to have settled their differences

Marius Zaliukas has urged Hearts fans to lay off Laryea Kingston if the midfielder makes his first home appearance of the season this weekend.

Kingston's first appearances of the season against Aberdeen on Saturday was met with a muted response after he played for Ghana despite an injury.

"We need to welcome him back, for his self-confidence," said Hearts vice-captain Zaliukas.

"We have to support, I think, not to boo players."

The 28-year-old Kingston had said that he would always put country before club after playing for Ghana in a World Cup qualifier against Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo's wishes last month.

And the midfielder was also involved in a furious bust-up with Laszlo at the end of August for which he was fined four weeks' wages as the player believed he was fit to play for Hearts and Ghana.

The results - everyone agrees with me - are not good enough Hearts defender Marius Zaliukas

Laszlo has forgiven Kingston, who had been troubled with a persistent knee injury, for his conduct and wants the club's supporters to do the same.

And, ahead of Saturday's Tynecastle clash with Falkirk, Zaliukas said: "I'm seeing him in training - he's strong mentally, physically."

Of his own injury, which he picked up while on international duty with Lithuania last month, Zaliukas said he hoped to be back in training next week and was targeting next month's Edinburgh derby for his return to action.

Wearing an orthopaedic boot as he works his way back to full fitness, the 25-year-old defended his side's start to the season, especially their record in front of goal.

"Last year was the same," he said of the side sitting eighth this term.

"We played with one striker and were not scoring a lot of goals - but we were winning. This year, it's maybe just a hard start."

Yet the defender knows he and his team-mates have underachieved.

"The results - everyone agrees with me - are not good enough," he said.

"Our target, I think, is again to play in Europe.

"Hopefully, a couple of good results will give us confidence and we'll turn it around."

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