Kingston hits back at Hearts boss

Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston has hit back at his club coach amid an ongoing row about his fitness.

The Black Stars midfielder turned out twice for Ghana last week - despite not having played for Scottish side Hearts so far this season.

The club say he is not fit and manager Csaba Laszlo has angrily suggested Kingston is not committed to Hearts.

But Kingston says he will not be bullied into putting his club before his country.

"If the coach has a problem with me he should simply say so and not use my national team commitment against me," Kingston said.

"I have played for a lot of clubs but I can play for only one national team.

"I am like a soldier who must stand up for his country at anytime."

Kingston played the final quarter of Ghana's win over Sudan last weekend - a victory which secured the Black Stars a place in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

He also started their international friendly against Japan in the Netherlands on Wednesday.

That has angered Laszlo Csaba, who has called his future at Heart of Midlothian into question.

"If you only come in my dressing room to keep your fitness, you can always go," he said.

"You can do this in an amateur team. The door is always open for you to go out."

Kingston says he remains committed to Hearts, but he played for Ghana because he is fit.

He insists he will not be pressured into short changing his international career.

His appearance for Ghana last Sunday was his first in any competitive match this season.

The midfielder missed the 2006 World Cup through suspension and says he wants to give himself every chance of playing at the 2010 edition.