Heart of Midlothian 1 Dundee United 2

SPFL, Friday 21 March 2014 – Tynecastle

BT Sport’s television deal with the SPFL has seen several games this season switched to a Friday evening. This week it was Hearts turn and the novelty of starting the weekend by going to the football seemed to entice nearly 13,500 fans to Tynecastle on a night when you wouldn’t have sent the dog out as rain lashed Scotland’s capital city. Perhaps it was the prospect of the first competitive game on a Friday at Tynecastle for half a century.

Sadly for the Maroon Army, the outcome of the game was the same as it has been for much of the season. Another defeat pushed Hearts ever closer to Championship football next season.

The difficult conditions leant weight to that oft-used cliché ‘not conducive to good football’ although Dundee United still tried to play the passing style that has won them so many admirers this season. That said, their early attempts at goal were long-range efforts from Rankin and Robertson that failed to trouble a mud-splattered Jamie MacDonald in the Hearts goal. If anything, it was Hearts who looked more threatening with some laudable build-up play and Kevin McHattie fired an effort which was saved by United keeper Cierzniak before Dale Carrick had an effort that went close.

As half-time appeared on the horizon, I mentioned that Hearts had done well to keep the free-scoring United team at bay. Therefore, I blame myself for the visitors immediately taking the lead ten minutes before the break. Good build up play from Dow and Robertson set up Graham with the easiest of chances which he duly took from three yards with the home side half-heartedly appealing for offside. Hearts tried to fight back and Callum Paterson headed David Smith’s cross over the crossbar when he really should have hit the target before Ryan Stevenson fired in an effort that shook the rainwater from the side net. Half-time arrived with United a goal ahead.

United began the second half on the offensive with Robertson producing a fine save from Jamie MacDonald before Ciftci wasted a chance to double the visitor’s lead. Soon after, Armstrong produced another great save from Hearts increasingly busy goalkeeper and it seemed just a matter of time before the second goal would come. It duly arrived 20 minutes from time with a quite brilliant goal from the impressive Ciftci who danced passed three Hearts players before firing a superb shot past the diving Jamie Mac.

To their credit, Hearts refused to throw in the towel and eight minutes later, skipper Danny Wilson powered home a header from Sam Nicholson’s corner kick to pull a goal back which resulted in a spirited finish from the home side. However, it was to no avail and Hearts relegation will be confirmed next Sunday should they fail to beat Hibernian in the Edinburgh derby. It’s a scenario manager Gary Locke isn’t willing to contemplate and he spoke afterwards about his hope that his young team would record their third victory of the season over their great rivals.

“It's what our supporters deserve," said the Gorgie boss. "Everyone knows the situation we're in and the fans were right behind the cause again tonight. To get 13,500 on a Friday night is nothing short of incredible. We can't thank the fans enough."

Hearts: MacDonald; Paterson, McGowan, Wilson, McHattie; Stevenson, Robinson, Hamill; Smith, Carrick, Nicholson.

Dundee Utd: Cierzniak, Wilson, Gunning, Dillon, Robertson, Paton, Rankin, Graham, Armstrong, Dow, Ciftci. .

Referee: Bobby Madden

Att: 13,448

Top man: Jamie MacDonald

 

It Ain't Over Til...

 

 

I have to confess I didn’t go to Tannadice last month for Hearts Scottish Communities League Cup victory over Dundee United. Work commitments meant I couldn’t make it to Tayside in time for the earlier than usual kick-off time of 7.15pm (thank you, BBC Scotland) so I opted for sitting in front of the television at home with a couple of cans of ale (well, perhaps more than a couple…) My joy at Calum Paterson’s opening goal - the big man seems to relish playing at Tannadice - was tempered by United’s equaliser against the run of play soon after. When Darren Barr was sent off ten minutes before the end of the regulation ninety, I feared the worst. However, the boys in white and maroon were immense as they held out during extra time to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out. And here’s where I must make another confession (that’s two already)

When Danny Grainger and then John Sutton missed Hearts first two penalties, I switched off the television - and headed for bed. My better half tried to console me when I told her Hearts had lost on penalty kicks. Her remark of ‘at least you won’t have to pay to go to the semi-final in January’ was well meant if somewhat ill-timed.

When I arose somewhat bleary-eyed the following morning I switched the television on to see the lovely Catriona Shearer announce Hearts had won 5-4 on penalties. Thinking standards were falling at the BBC, I tut-tutted before checking the excellent Hearts website. Catriona was, of course, spot -on (see what I did there?) Hearts had indeed won the penalty shoot-out. My better half was concerned for my mental well-being but when I explained what I had done, she quite rightly questioned my faith in the team I have followed for 44 years. And here’s yet another confession - it’s not the first time I’ve not waited until the fat lady has sung at a Hearts game.

Nearly a decade ago, on 2 January 2003, I was at Tynecastle watching an epic Edinburgh derby. Hibs were 3-2 ahead with a minute to go when they got a penalty kick. The eternal pessimist in me led me to head for the exits even before the penalty was taken. I was heading out as Grant Brebner slotted the rebound from Hearts keeper Roddy McKenzie’s save from Paatelainen’s penalty to make it 4-2 to the Hibees. My mate and I were well along Wheatfield Street when we heard the cheers from those Hearts fans still inside Tynecastle celebrating Graham Weir’s goal to make it 4-3; and on Gorgie Road when Weir scored again to snatch a sensational equaliser. That 4-4 game is etched in the annuls of Tynecastle folklore - just a pity I wasn’t brave enough to stay to the bitter end.

My defence is that this damned team we support has a regular habit of kicking us in the teeth so, in my view, there isn’t much to be gained by prolonging the agony. I was 14 years old when I first decided to head for the exits rather than watch my beloved team succumb to defeat. Back in March 1976, I watched in disbelief with 8,000 other fans, mostly Jambos, Premier Division Hearts trail First Division Montrose 2-1 in the Scottish Cup quarter final at a packed Links Park. I was almost at the exit gates, having walked away from the proceedings, when suddenly there was an almighty roar and thousands of Hearts supporters leapt for joy on the crumbling terracing. Graham ‘Shuggie’ Shaw had scrambled home a last gasp equaliser - well, I say scrambled home, for all I know he could have unleashed a forty-yard screamer - to dramatically keep Hearts in the cup and force a replay. Hearts required two replays to get the better of the Angus side but eventually went all the way to the final against Rangers at Hampden. Being still in my teenage years, I found the emotion of such a reprieve all too much and fought back the tears. It wasn’t the first time I had cried at a Hearts game - and it certainly would not be the last. Similarly, it wouldn’t be the last time I would leave a Hearts game early in the mistaken knowledge the game was all over. You might think someone of my age and Hearts supporting experience would know better.

Sadly, as my actions in retiring to bed on Halloween before Jamie MacDonald and company performed heroics proved, I haven’t learned my lesson.

As the legendary John Robertson once famously quipped - it ain’t over til the fat striker - or Lithuanian captain - scores!

Twitter @Mike1874

　

　

　

Heart of Midlothian 0 Dundee Utd 1

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Sunday 31 July 2011, Tynecastle

There's something about Hearts whenever they're involved in European competition - league form seems to desert them. After an impressive showing eight days ago in the SPL opener at Ibrox where they shared a 1-1 draw with champions Rangers, Hearts secured the same scoreline five days later against Paksi - a decent result in the Europa League qualifer in Hungary. Today, however, it was a different story.

Hearts were missing Andy Webster, Mehdi Taouil, Kevin Kyle, Andrew Driver, Suso Santana and Jamie Hamill but still had a decent enough team on the park to do the business against a Dundee United team without striker David Goodwillie, believed to be joining Blackburn Rovers this week. However, the Maroons looked sluggish from the start and created few chances in a disappointing 90 minutes - well, 94 minutes to account for the ridiculous time wasting tactics of the visitors.

United posted their early intention when John Rankin's free kick from the edge of the penalty box smacked off the crossbar. Hearts only decent chance of the first half fell to Stephen Elliott who had time to turn in the United six yard box but he made a hash of his shot on goal that trundled wide. Shortly afterwards, Hearts paid the price for that miss when United's Jon Daly was given the freedom of Gorgie Road to bullet home Flood's excellent delivery. Quite what Hearts defender Marius Zaliukas was doing when Daly rose unchallenged is debatable.

Hearts huffed and puffed in the second half but never looked like getting the equaliser - not even when talisman Rudi Skacel was introduced with 20 minutes left. In the end, United deserved all three points for the simple fact they used the ball much better when they had possession. Far too often Hearts resorted to playing a long ball to an out of sorts John Sutton.

European football returns to Tynecastle on Thursday night. Despite having secured an away goal, Hearts will have to up the tempo against Paksi if they want to progress.

Top man: Danny Grainger

Heart of Midlothian 2 Dundee United 1

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 19 February 2011 - Tynecastle

Hearts strenghtened their grip on third place in the Clydesdale Bank SPL today - and the place in next season's Europa League that goes with it - with a rather fortuitous win over Dundee United, themselves still having designs on repeating their third place finish of last season. Hearts were far from their best today but, to slip into cliche mode, it's the sign of a good team that doesn't play well but still wins - so I'm told.

Hearts, with Andy Webster making his homecoming, looked shaky from the start. David Goodwillie - given stick from the Hearts support all afternoon for the fact the striker has been charged with rape allegations - thought he had scored after just a couple of minutes but referee Calum Murray ruled the effort out for handball. However, when Barry Douglas gave the visitors the lead after just six minutes Tynecastle was stunned. United dominated the first half and Hearts cause wasn't helped when Lee Wallace hobbled off after half an hour but there was relief for the home fans when Rudi Skacel tapped the ball home on the stroke of half-time after a mix up in the United defence.

Hearts replaced the ineffectual David Obua with David Templeton at the start of the second half and began to look like their normal selves. Fellow substitute Andrew Driver really should have put Hearts ahead when he had three chances in quick succession  to score late in the game but after seeing his first two attempts on goal blocked his third effort flew across the goal as frustration grew.

Hearts scored what proved to be the winner when Marius Zaliukas headed home Craig Thomson's corner with just three minutes to go and the home support celebrated. The celebrations were cut short, however, when Ruben Palazuelos brought down Robertson in the penalty box. Red card for the Spaniard, a penalty for United and the chance for them to take a deserved point. However, for the third time this season Hearts keeper Marian Kello saved a penalty, this time from Goodwillie and bedlam ensued at Tynecastle. The final whistle blew soon after and Hearts fans headed home to look out their passports for next season. With nearest challengers Kilmarnock going down 5-0 at Aberdeen, Hearts will all but secure third spot if they beat Killie when they visit Gorgie in a fortnight.

Not the best of games today but a feature for me was the return of Andy Webster. Not every Hearts fan was pleased to see the former Arbroath player return to Tynecastle but he was impressive today after a shaky start and his influence on the young players in the Hearts team was there for all to see.

Dundee United 5 Hearts 6

A classic Scottish Cup encounter at Tannadice from 1968

Heart of Midlothian 1 Dundee United 1

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Sunday 29 August 2010 - Tynecastle

Good news, bad news. Hearts remain unbeaten in the SPL (yes, I know it's only three games but it's more than most of the others can say). However, they threw away two points and therefore the chance to move into third place in the table by allowing Dundee United to snatch a scarcely deserved equaliser near the end of an entertaining game at Tynecastle.

When I read the team lists prior to kick off I was dismayed. Last week's hero, Calum Elliot, had failed a last minute fitness test. Lee Wallace had passed - only to pull up during the warm up.  With Palazuelos suspended and Zaliukas, Driver, Stephen Elliott and Gary Glen all injured it was another patched up Hearts team with Ryan Stevenson pairing Kevin Kyle up front. Nevertheless it was Hearts who dominated most of the game with Suso Santana and Eggert Jonsson particularly impressive.

After dictating the play it was no surprise when Hearts took the lead after half an hour. Suso raced clear of Garry Kenneth from deep inside his own half before finding Templeton charging into the box. The youngster seemed to lose control of the ball initially but he narrowed the angle and with Pernis rushing from his line, Temps did enough to slip the ball past the advancing keeper. Hearts could and should have added to their lead but failed to do so - something they would regret.

The warning signs were there particularly when United were awarded a very soft penalty with fifteen minutes left. However, justice was done when home keeper Marian Kello brilliantly palmed away Daly's effort. Sadly, there was nothing Hearts could do about Gomis' rasping twenty five yard effort flew high into the net past the despairing arms of Kello with just five minutes left to give United a barely deserved share of the spoils.

For the second home game in the SPL in succession, Hearts let a lead slip. That said, there was much to be pleased about with this latest performance particularly when you consider the players who were missing. Hearts are playing decent stuff again, the players are fighting for each other and when the casualties are back results will come.

Scottish Champions 1983

The great Dundee United team that won the Premier League title in 1983. When Eammon Bannon and Maurice Malpas still had hair...

Dundee United 1 Heart of Midlothian 0

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Sunday 7 March 2010 - Tannadice

Like Hearts last fixture, away at Aberdeen eight days ago, I didn't attend this game in person. I chose to watch it on ESPN even though this meant having to endure the 'expert analysis' - and I use this term loosely - of Craig Burley. He is the nephew of George Burley who was sacked as Hearts manager by Vladimir Romanov in 2005 - not that Craig lets that affect his judgement as far as Hearts are concerned. Oh, no....

Hearts had so many players missing through injury and suspension it was difficult to try and figure out what starting eleven manager Jim Jefferies would put out. Things got worse before the game even kicked off when skipper Michael Stewart had to withdraw minutes before the game was due to begin following a calf injury. Things were so bad that defender Jose Goncalves was brought in from the cold, so to speak, and it was hard to see how such a patched up Hearts team would take anything from the game.

It was all the more surprising then, that Hearts should start the game so brightly and for the opening twenty minutes they were well on top. The best chance fell to youngster Paul Mulrooney who intercepted a loose pass and fired in an effort that went just wide. However, for all their dominance Hearts had no cutting edge - where have we heard this before?

At the start of the second half Christian Nade replaced the ineffective Jamie Mole for Hearts but made little difference. United dominated the second period and deservedly took the lead when a shot from Gomis deflected off Hearts Lee Wallace past Balogh for the game's only goal.

Given Hearts injury crisis, the team in blue did well under the circumstances. Hopefully a few more familiar faces will return for Hearts next game at Motherwell.

Eammon Bannon

There aren’t many players who spend two different spells at the good ship Heart of Midlothian but one who was a success on both occasions was midfield maestro Eammon Bannon.

The Edinburgh born player joined Hearts as an eighteen year old in 1976 and made his debut by coming on as a substitute against Ayr United in the doomed season of 1976-77, a campaign that ultimately saw Hearts relegated for the first time in their history. Bannon’s subtle but effective skills in midfield meant he was pressed into action even at such a young age but even his skills couldn’t prevent Hearts demotion. Former Scotland manager Willie Ormond was charged with taking Hearts back to the top flight at the first time of asking and with no money to rebuild the team, the former member of the Hibernian Famous Five forward line of the 1950s relied heavily on the skills of his teenage protégé. Bannon didn’t let him down and scored an impressive thirteen goals - including a hat-trick against Kilmarnock at Tynecastle on Hogmanay 1977 - as Hearts duly secured promotion.

However, Ormond’s hopes of building a Hearts team to challenge for honours were left in tatters as Hearts sold Eammon Bannon to Chelsea in January 1979 for a club record fee of £200,000. The money kept the financial wolves from the door - temporarily - but Hearts struggled badly without their star player. Inevitably, they were relegated again at the end of season 1978-79.
Bannon, though, was hoping for big things at Chelsea under their ebullient manager Danny Blanchflower who saw him as a potential replacement for the departed Ray Wikins. Sadly, Blanchflower was sacked as Chelsea manager later that year and his replacement, England World Cup hero Geoff Hurst, allowed Bannon to return to Scotland and Dundee United just ten months after he left Gorgie.

Bannon became an integral part of Dundee United’s most successful team ever in the early 1980s. He was to win League Cup Winner’s medals and, memorably, a Premier Division championship medal when Jim McLean’s team won the league title in 1983. Bannon was part of United’s equally memorable run in the European Cup the following season when the Tannadice side reached the semi-final only to lose narrowly to Italian champions Roma. In 1987, he appeared for United in the UEFA Cup Final where they lost to IFK Gothenberg.
A year later Bannon returned to his first love - Hearts.

By now, Chairman Wallace Mercer had stabilised the club and was keen to build on the progress that had seen the maroons challenge the Old Firm - the signing of Bannon alongside United team-mate striker Iain Ferguson was seen as key moves. Bannon was to spend another five happy years at Tynecastle and while the club didn’t make the breakthrough in acquiring silverware as hoped, Bannon’s influence on the younger players breaking through such as Alan McLaren and Scott Crabbe was invaluable.

In May 1993, Bannon left Tynecastle for a brief spell at Hibernian - his only game for the Easter Road team coming against Hearts - but was back in Gorgie in July 1994 when Tommy McLean appointed him to the coaching staff. When McLean left Tynecastle, Bannon went too and ended his playing career at Stenhousemuir. His spell at Ochilview was triumphant - he was part of the Stenny team that lifted the Scottish Challenge Cup in 1995 - ironically defeating Dundee United in the final!

After a spell as manager of Falkirk, Bannon brought his boots back on to play for Edinburgh’s non-league Spartans in 1996 before finally retiring two years later to run Strathallan guest house in Edinburgh which he does to this day. He also does work for the Press Association in Scotland through the PFA.

Walter Smith Flies Through the Air

The current Rangers manager enjoyed a long and distinguished playing career with Dundee United and Dumbarton. However, this is a moment he won't care to recall - scoring an own goal whilst playing for the Sons of the Rock against Hearts in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final replay of 1976.

Hearts won 3-0 and went on to face Rangers in the final.