Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 22 January 2011 - Tynecastle
Hearts recent unbeaten run in the SPL meant today's game against the current champions was always going to be match of the day and Sky Television duly moved the kick-off time to lunchtime and the cameras rolled. This didn't prevent Tynecastle being close to full and the atmosphere was as fervent as ever at Scotland's most atmospheric stadium.
Ironically, Hearts played much better when Rangers last visited Gorgie back in September and snatched all three points at the death thanks to a Steven Naismith strike in the fourth minute of injury time. Today the maroons looked out of sorts. Whether it was due to the absence of the injured Kevin Kyle which meant Ryan Stevenson started the game in an unfamiliar forward role or whether it was the exertions of a tough midweek game at Kilmarnock, Hearts looked off the pace all afternoon and Rangers dominated the first half. Home keeper Marian Kello was the hero as he kept the visitors at bay with a string of fine saves. That said, it was Hearts Rudi Skacel who came closest to scoring when he drove a shot inches wide shortly before half time.
Hearts came more into the game in the second half, particularly when David Templeton came off and was replaced by Gary Glen - this enabled Ryan Stevenson to move into his more customary position in midfield. The game became end to end stuff but just when it seemed like a goalless draw would be a decent result given the way Hearts had played, the deadlock was broken with thirteen minutes to go. Hearts Lee Wallace cut in from the left and found Skacel who went down after a challenge to loud howls of 'penalty!' The ball broke to Stevenson who steered the ball home to ensure bedlam at Tynecastle. There endeth the scoring. Hearts might consider themselves fortunate to claim all three points but in a way it was justice for the September meeting between the pair when Hearts played so well but got no reward.
Hearts are now just two points behind the champions who remain in second place in the SPL. Jim Jefferies side are seven points behind league leaders Celtic - but have a game in hand. And Hearts head to Celtic Park next Wednesday evening. Twenty-five years ago this weekend, I was at Pittodrie to witness a rising Hearts team defeat league champions Aberdeen 1-0 thanks to a late John Colquhoun goal. That result gave everyone at Tynecastle the belief that Hearts could challenge for the title that season. A quarter of a century later dare Hearts fans believe history is about to repeat itself?
At least this season we don't have to go to Dens Park. Can someone check what Albert Kidd is doing these days...?
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