Motherwell 4 Heart of Midlothian 1

SPFL Premiership, Saturday 1 March 2014 - Fir Park

Hearts record at Motherwell isn’t particularly impressive so when manager Gary Locke spoke before the game of his hope that his young team would embark on a run of victories which would make the teams immediately above Hearts in the SPFL Premiership uncomfortable, it was difficult to believe his words had much substance. And so it proved on Saturday as the Maroons slipped closer to the now inevitable relegation trapdoor following a comprehensive defeat in darkest Lanarkshire.

Yet Hearts, unchanged from last week’s decent effort against league champions Celtic, began the game brightly with Calum Paterson looking lively up front. That said, it was the home team who created the game’s first real chance when a shot from Ainsworth took a deflection off Scott Robinson, forcing keeper Jamie MacDonald to push the ball over the crossbar.

It was the kick-start the home side needed and they began to dominate proceedings. In the 18^th minute, their pressure eventually told on the visitors. The always-dangerous McFadden set up Vigurs who created space and time before shooting all too easily past Jamie Mac to put the Steelmen a goal up.

Hearts then threatened briefly when Ryan Stevenson saw his free-kick go just wide of goal before Paul McCallum saw his header go just over the crossbar. However, the pattern of the game remained much the same with Motherwell looking dangerous whenever they came forward. It was scarcely a surprise when they doubled their lead eight minutes before half-time. Again, it was the former Scotland international McFadden who was the architect when he launched a high pass towards Ainsworth who produced a fine finish to leave MacDonald helpless and put the home side 2-0 ahead. There endeth the first half scoring, although McFadden should have added a third but saw his header go narrowly over the bar.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first and Vigurs, Lasley and Leitch all had chances to increase the home side’s lead. That said, it was Hearts who almost scored next when Dale Carrick’s superb effort clipped the Motherwell crossbar. Twenty minutes into the second half, Motherwell sealed all three points when former Hearts striker John Sutton scored the third goal after McFadden had again tormented the Hearts defence.

Four minutes later there was a small glimmer of hope for the vociferous travelling support when Callum Paterson headed home Kevin McHattie’s corner to make it 3-1. This hope didn’t last long, however, when man of the match McFadden headed home Vigur’s corner to complete the scoring and another miserable afternoon for Hearts.

Gary Locke didn’t mince his words in the press conference after the game.

“We've taken great strides in the last few weeks, but today we've gone backwards again. You're never going to win a game if only three or four players turn up. We've got to make sure we compete all the time, and today we were second best in too many areas of the pitch. It’s a young team and we're learning all the time. You've got to work hard to get anything out of games in this league, and I felt Motherwell - especially James McFadden and his experience - caused us all sorts of problems which we never got to grip with."

With Hearts now 20 points behind Partick Thistle and Ross County at the foot of the Army, the Gorgie side are just four games away from relegation and may well have suffered this fate before Easter.

Looking to come straight back up to the top flight a year from now must be the focus of everyone at Tynecastle.

Motherwell: Hollis, Read, Francis-Angol, Lasley, Huchinson, McManus, Ainsworth, Leitch, McFadden, Sutton, Vigurs.

Hearts: MacDonald, McGowan, McHattie, Robinson, McKay, Wilson, Stevenson, Hamill, Paterson, McCallum, Nicholson.

Referee: John Beaton

Att: 4,914

Top Man: Jamie MacDonald

 

Heart of Midlothian 0 Motherwell 1

SPFL, Saturday 11 January 2014 – Tynecastle

Hearts plea to the SPFL to lift the signing embargo imposed on them will be heard by the Hampden suits early next week. Desperate times call for desperate measures and if anyone was in any doubt about how desperate Hearts are, they need only have been at Tynecastle Stadium on Saturday.

With sources depleted, Gary Locke was again struggling to field a team with Callum Tapping the latest injury problem added to a list that already contained Danny Wilson, Jason Holt and Mark Ridgers. Tapping had been struggling with a bug all week but such is the casualty list at Tynecastle, the former Tottenham Hotspur player was named as a substitute. Defender Kevin McHattie started the game not fully fit and it was a gamble that didn’t pay off as the youngster was forced to leave the field after an hour. Locke also opted for Jamie Walker to sit alongside Tapping on the bench meaning a rare start for Dale Carrick.

Watching Hearts this season, particularly at Tynecastle, has been akin to watching the film Groundhog Day – it’s the same recurring nightmare, except on a fortnightly basis rather than a daily one. Certainly the beleaguered supporters must have been thinking ‘here we go again’ after just two minutes when Jordan McGhee sliced his attempted clearance and the ball seemed to spinning towards the Hearts net for the opening goal. However, as he has been so often this season, keeper Jamie MacDonald pushed the ball away and the majority of the near 13,000 crowd - another mightily impressive attendance given what’s going on in Gorgie this season – heaved a sigh of relief.

While there was plenty of effort on show, chances were few and far between for either team. Motherwell’s Ainsworth had a couple of chances, one of which produced another fine save from Jamie Mac. However, the keeper was unable to prevent the visitors taking the lead five minutes before half time. Former Hearts striker John Sutton moved on to a through pass and fired home from a tight angle - albeit there was a deflection from Hearts Dylan McGowan - to give The Steelmen the lead. As the Hearts players trooped off the field at half time a goal down, it was difficult to see where the equalising goal would come from.

There may have been a few words of ‘advice’ from Gary Locke at the break because Hearts looked a much more determined side in the second half. Ryan Stevenson’s cross-come-shot smacked off the crossbar before the industrious David Smith’s 30 yard effort tested Motherwell keeper Neilsen. This seemed to inspire the home team who began to dominate the game.

Stevenson had another effort from 25 yards which Neilsen pushed over the bar before substitute Jamie Walker fired in a shot which was just over. Hearts continued to push forward and the home crowd were encouraged by their team at least looking threatening. However, the visitors were always dangerous on the counter-attack and Anier’s effort on goal was well saved by MacDonald who then denied Sutton the chance of a second goal a few minutes later.

Hearts best chance came late in the game when Stevenson’s cross landed at the feet of Jamie Hamill but the former Kilmarnock player couldn’t control the ball and his effort on goal was blocked by the Motherwell defence.

When Hearts were denied a late penalty claim when the ball appeared to strike the arm of a Motherwell defender, the home support realised it was to be another day with no goals and no points.

Hearts are now 20 points adrift at the foot of the league. Their appeal to the SPFL for clemency will be heard on Monday. It’s unlikely to succeed. In any case, even if Hearts signed Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, the deficit is too great now to save this great club from demotion.

Hearts: MacDonald; McGhee, McKay, McGowan, McHattie, Paterson, Hamill, Robinson, Smith, Carrick, Stevenson.

Motherwell: Nielsen, Hammell, Ramsden, Hutchinson, McManus, McFadden, Sutton, Vigurs, Lasley, Carswell, Ainsworth.

Referee: Willie Collum

Att: 12,888

Top man: Jamie MacDonald – again.

Heart of Midlothian 2 Motherwell 0

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 24 December 2011 - Tynecastle

Two impressive performances from Hearts within a week - it must be Christmas. After last week's hammering of Dunfermline Athletic at Tynecastle, Hearts recorded a well deserved win over third placed Motherwell in Gorgie this afternoon.

The Maroons played well throughout and if there are those who believed the not so behind the scenes problems with the players wages would have an adverse affect on the team, then, on the evidence of the last couple of weeks, they are mistaken.

After early efforts from the overly physical Higdon and young David Templeton, it was the Hearts winger who created the opening goal after 16 minutes. After leaving Hateley for dead, Temps shot was deflected into the path of Ian Black who finished with a superb shot that gave visiting keeper Randolph no chance.Templeton was back to his best and he tormented the Motherwell defence throughout the first half. After 28 minutes, the wee man went on a mesmerising run which tied Hateley in knots before crossing to give Stephen Elliott the simplest of chances to double Hearts lead.

There endeth the scoring but Hearts dominated the game from start to finish. They lost a wee bit of impetus when Templeton was replaced by Andrew Driver after an hour. A curious one this, as Temps didn't look injured and one had to surmise this was a decision from Kaunas in order to put Driver in the shop window with a January transfer in mind.

Motherwell have impressed many this season - but not this afternoon. Hearts now have the Steelmen in their sights for third place in the Clydesdale Bank SPL and on this form there's no reason why they can't catch up. However, much depends on which players depart Tynecastle in January.

And so to Pittodrie Stadium on Wednesday and Easter Road a week on Monday. Six points from that will make it a very Happy New Year for Hearts supporters.

See you in Aberdeen!

Top man: David Templeton  only played an hour but he was back to his best today.

1976 Remembered - Motherwell 1 Hearts 4

Scottish football restructured its league set up in the mid 1970s and the clubs in the top flight knew they had to finish in the top ten to be included in the new-look Premier Division. Hearts made such an awful start to season 1974/75, not only were they not in the top ten in the early weeks of this crucial season - they were 18th in a league of eighteen! When Hearts lost 5-0 to Dundee United at Tannadice on 12 October 1974, they slumped to the foot of the table, having not won a league game all season. Before the Tannadice torment, Hearts had lost 4-1 at Aberdeen and by the same scoreline at Partick Thistle. Although they were only four points off the crucial tenth place in the league, the Hearts board of directors knew action had to be taken sooner rather than later and they dismissed manager Bobby Seith, replacing him with coach John Hagart.

The results were immediate. Hagart’s infectious enthusiasm for the game rubbed off on previously demoralised players and they defeated Airdrieonians to record their first win of the season before grabbing a 1-1 draw against Rangers at Ibrox the following week. There was still the odd rogue result but slowly Hearts began to climb the table. The improvement was such that the maroons ended season 1974/75 in eighth place in the league - and would therefore be part of the top ten Premier League of clubs for 1975/76. Their recovery was laudable but they were only four points away from not making it and being relegated for the first time in their history. The cracks had been papered over - for now.

Hearts fared only slightly better in the first season of the Premier Division and ended in fifth place in the table - their best league finish in six years but, again, perilously close to the drop, finishing just three points ahead of relegated Dundee. The league set up wasn’t without its critics. Many observers said the league was too tight, teams playing each other four times a season would be a classic case of familiarity breeding contempt; safety first would be the order of the day in order to survive this new cut-throat league rather than trying to entertain the fans. It was difficult to argue with these assertions.

Away from the intensity of the Premier Division, Hearts had at least reached the Scottish Cup Final in May 1976 where they faced treble-chasing Rangers at Hampden. Hearts path to the final was laboured to say the least and involved replays over Clyde, two replays over Montrose (Graham ‘Shuggie’ Shaw’s scrambled last minute equaliser in the first game at Links Park remains a vivid memory) and a semi-final replay over Dumbarton where a certain Walter Smith helped Hearts reach the final by scoring an own goal for the Sons of the Rock. Sadly, Hearts luck ran out in the final itself. The omens weren’t good when referee Bobby Davidson blew for kick off at two minutes to three - and Rangers scored in the opening minute. Thus Hearts were a goal behind before the official kick off time. Rangers won 3-1 and with Hearts about to enter some dark days, it would be another decade before the maroons would grace another Scottish Cup Final.

The summer of 1976 was a long, hot one. While most of us enjoyed the baking heat the country was affected by a serious drought. I was 14 years old in 1976 and, as usual during the summer months, I looked forward to the end of the football drought. Hearts began season 1976/77 with a friendly - or challenge match as the marketing people like to call them - at Tynecastle against Southampton. It was a considerable coup to get the Saints to Edinburgh as Lawrie McMenemy’s side had sensationally lifted the FA cup just weeks before, defeating much fancied Manchester United in the final. However, Hearts won 3-0 and followed this up two days later by winning the East of Scotland Shield thrashing Meadowbank Thistle 8-0 in the final at Tynecastle (I can’t recall what happened to Hibs but then I don’t really care) These two wins might not have meant that much but they did put the Hearts players in a confident frame of mind for the start of the League Cup a week later.

Hearts recent record in this competition was nothing to write home about and they were drawn in a tricky section with Dundee, Partick Thistle and Motherwell. Hearts, though, made a brilliant start and won their first three games before sharing six goals with Partick Thistle at Tynecastle. John Hagart’s men then travelled to Fir Park for the return fixture with Motherwell and this seemed the most difficult fixture in the section as The Steelmen, with striker Willie Pettigrew one of the most feared strikers in Scottish football. Alongside Pettigrew was the former Celtic striker Harry Hood so the Hearts defence were prepared for a difficult afternoon. Or so they thought…

Motherwell: Hunter, Millar, Wark, Farrell, McVie, Stevens, Hood, Pettigrew, Graham, McLaren, Marinello

Hearts: Wilson, Brown, Kay, Jefferies, Gallacher, Clunie, Park, Busby, Gibson, Callachan, Prentice.

Referee: C. Hutton

In bright late August sunshine it was the home team who started the more impressively and it was no surprise when Hood put them ahead with a close range effort after sixteen minutes. Despite Hearts impressive start to the season, one suspected it was going to be a long afternoon for the maroons. However, within a couple of minutes they drew level. Jim Brown delivered a long ball towards the Motherwell penalty box. Well’s keeper Hunter and centre half McVie both went to clear the ball and then decided to leave it to each other. Hearts Drew Busby didn’t hang around and he nipped in to drill the ball into the net for the equaliser.

One could almost see the confidence drain from the home side after gifting such a goal and it took just another four minutes for Hearts to go in front. Ralph Callachan, the impressive young midfielder, was given plenty room on the edge of the Motherwell penalty box and he fired an unstoppable shot past Hunter to put Hearts 2-1 ahead. Two minutes later, the home side should have made it parity when Jim Jefferies handled the ball inside his own penalty area and referee Hutton blew for a penalty kick. Former Hibs and Arsenal star Peter Marinello - once dubbed the new George Best - took the kick and struck it well but Hearts keeper Brian Wilson produced a brilliant save to keep Hearts ahead. It was all happening and only two further minutes were played when Hearts increased their lead. Little Donald Park was causing the home defence plenty of problems and he set off on a run that took him away from McVie and full back Wark. Within shooting range of goal, wee Parky’s fierce effort left Hunter without an earthly and Hearts were 3-1 ahead before half an hour was played.

It had been a remarkable transformation in such a short period of time and with Park and Rab Prentice wreaking havoc down the flanks, Ralph Callachan orchestrating the midfield and Willie Gibson and Drew Busby looking threatening up front, Hearts were now in total control and looking like they could score at will. Most impressive, though, was the way this Hearts team worked for one another. Park and Prentice would double up as extra defenders as Motherwell tried desperately to try and come back into the game and if defender Jim Jefferies would lose out in a tackle he knew there was the likes of John Gallacher or Dave Clunie on hand to help out. Hearts looked worthy of their 3-1 half time lead.

It was inevitable Motherwell would come out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half. They knew they had to win to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the knock out stages of the competition and Pettigrew and Hood tried their best to get on the end of deliveries by Marinello and Graham. Hearts were pinned back for a spell at the beginning of the second half but in the 52^nd minute the maroons broke forward to devastating effect. Rab Prentice collected the ball from a clearance from his defenders and ran into the Motherwell penalty box. The mercurial skills of the ebullient Prentice could cause any defender problems when was on form and Rab was on fire that afternoon. As he danced into the penalty box home defender Millar brought him down and Hearts were awarded a penalty kick. Unlike Marinello in the first half, Drew Busby made no mistake to end the game as a contest at 4-1 to Hearts. There endeth the scoring and a quite superb Hearts performance that put one of the best teams in Scotland to the sword in their own patch. Curiously five of that defeated Motherwell team - Willie McVie, Peter Marinello, Stewart McLaren, Gregor Stevens and Willie Pettigrew - would later play for Hearts at some stage in their career.

Hearts duly progressed to the quarter finals of the League Cup and were again in fine form as they defeated First Division Falkirk 4-1 in the first leg at Tynecastle - although they did lose the return leg 4-3. In the semi final Hearts faced Celtic at Hampden Park on a Monday evening in October. John Hagart’s men again played well and in an incredible final five minutes of the first half took the lead through Jim Brown only for Kenny Dalglish to equalise seconds before the break. In the second half Hearts were than holding their own before s shocking challenge on Graham Shaw incredibly went unpunished. As the Hearts players waited in vain for the referee Hugh Alexander’s whistle, Celtic raced up the park and Dalglish fell theatrically in the penalty box after a challenge by John Gallacher. Penalty said the referee, Dalglish converted and Celtic were 2-1 ahead. Both these decisions - not to award a free kick to Hearts and to award a penalty kick to Celtic - angered the Hearts players and Rab Prentice in particular. The winger brought down Celtic’s Doyle in a chalenge that was certainly no worse that the one minutes earlier on Shaw. However, Prentice was sent off and with him went Hearts chances of reaching the League Cup Final. An incensed Shaw very nearly joined Prentice for an early bath, captain Jim Brown succeeding in calming the former Dunfermline player down.

It was to Hearts immense credit they continued to take the game to Celtic, even with ten men. Full back Roy Kay forced Celtic keeper Latchford into a fine save but the Hoops held on for a narrow and extremely fortunate win.

Hearts had already played in the European Cup Winners Cup this season - this is covered in the next chapter. However, their season would be defined the next time they played Celtic four weeks later in the Premier Division at Tynecastle. A Willie Gibson hat trick had Hearts 3-1 ahead after a tremendous first half display. However, the roof fell in on the home team in the second half and the visitors won 4-3. It was a defeat that altered the course of Hearts season. Confidence drained, they never recovered their early season sparkle and struggled thereafter. I’ll draw a veil over the rest of the season, suffice to say Hearts slump resulted in a ninth place finish in the top ten Premier Division - and with two clubs being relegated, Hearts, agonisingly, found themselves demoted for the first time in their long and proud history.

A sad state of affairs that would have seemed unthinkable that August day in Motherwell when an impressive Hearts team looked like they were good enough to actually win the League Cup. How things changed in such a short space of time…　

Why I'm Backing Motherwell to Win the Cup...

20 years ago Rangers won 3 in a row.This year Rangers have won 3 in a row.

20 years ago the manager left and the number 2 stepped up. Graeme Souness for Walter Smith.

This year the manager left and the number 2 stepped up. Walter Smith for Ally McCoist.

20 years ago a Rangers striker that used to play for Celtic, Mo Johnston, left the club.This year a Rangers striker that used to play for Celtic, Kenny Miller, left the club.

20 years ago Rangers won the league cup 2-1 in extra time v Celtic.This year Rangers won the league cup 2-1 in extra time v Celtic.

20 years ago Rangers had 3 players sent off in a cup game at Parkhead which they lost.This year Rangers had 3 players sent off in a cup game at Parkhead which they lost.

20 Years ago Rangers lost 0-3 at Parkhead and still won the league.This year Rangers lost 0-3 at Parkhead and still won the league.

20 years ago Motherwell were managed by an ex-Rangers midfielder.This year Motherwell are managed by an ex-Rangers midfielder.

20 years ago Celtic had already gone 2 years without a trophy.This year Celtic have already gone 2 years without a trophy.

20 years ago Motherwell won the Scottish Cup....................

Heart of Midlothian 3 Motherwell 3

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 23 April 2011 - Tynecastle

This being the Easter weekend there will be a fair amount of eggs of the chocolate variety being consumed around the country. Hearts supporters of my generation have something of an aversion to eggs and know only too well to never, ever count any subsequent chickens until they are hatched (yes, I know you don't get chickens from chocolate eggs but I'm trying to make an analogy here...)

Hearts contrived to throw away a three goal lead against Motherwell today as the 'race for Europe' as the stadium announcer kept saying - get well soon Scott Wilson, by the way - has turned into something of a struggle to reach the finishing line, never mind cross it.

Having said this, it was a quite superb game of football, one of the best I have seen this season. After a sprightly opening, Hearts took the lead after 26 minutes when Ryan Stevenson was fouled by Saunders and Craig Thomson, of all people, slotted home the resultant penalty to score his first goal in first team colours for Hearts. After the hard working Stevenson hit the post, Hearts went two goals up when Rudi Skacel played a one-two with Stephen Elliott before firing high into the net. Hearts two goals ahead at the break.

Early in the second half Stevenson showed a fine piece of skill to beat Craigan but the former Ayr United man's fierce effort on goal struck one post and then another before being cleared by a relieved Motherwell defence. Stevenson was not to be outdone, however. After 52 minutes, Suso delivered a superb cross which Stevenson headed past Randolph to put Hearts 3-0 ahead and in easy street. Or so some of the younger Hearts fans thought. Those of us who know better knew the game wasn't over yet. And it wasn't.

Motherwell immediately pulled a goal back through Sutton and when Tom Hateley's free kick sailed into the net with the Hearts defence casting admiring glances, alarm bells began to ring. Hearts could not respond and Frances Jeffers really should have equalised when clean through on goal but the former Everton and Arsenal striker ballooned his effort high into the Roseburn Stand. However, the visitors got the leveller they probably deserved when Sutton flicked a header past an aghast Marian Kello - great to see the keeper back - to end the scoring at 3-3.

While some Hearts fans booed at the end, credit should go to Motherwell for a fine comeback. Stuart McCall has the makings of a fine team here and I have a feeling they'll give Celtic a run for their money in the Scottish Cup Final next month. I wish them well (if you'll excuse the pun)

For Hearts the lead over Dundee United is now just seven points. However - there aren't many games left. Four to be precise - twelve points. Next weekend Hearts head to Rugby Park to face a Kilmarnock side with nothing to play for. The following day Dundee United go to Celtic Park. The 'race for Europe' could be over by the bank holiday Monday.

Hang on - what was I saying about chickens...?

Heart of Midlothian 0 Motherwell 0

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 9 April 2011 - (125 year old) Tynecastle

On a day when Hearts marked 125 years since the present Tynecastle Park/Stadium opened, it was perhaps inevitable the occasion would be marked with a goalless draw. However, in my view this was a decent game with some nice passing football from both sides - all it lacked, if I can resort to cliche mode for a moment, were goals.

In fact, despite the nice football on show there were very few chances. Hearts Ryan Stevenson forced 'Well keeper Randolph into action early on while strike partner Stephen Elliott blasted a shot over the bar. For Motherwell, Saunders hit the post shortly before half time and in the second half Forbes hit the crossbar when he should have scored. In the end a point apiece was probably about right.

The plus points from a Hearts point of view was the performance of Craig Thomson. The full back had Motherwell's Chris Humphrey  - whose pace is something else - in his pocket all afternoon while Andy Webster, as he had done at Easter Road six days ago, strolled through the game as if he had never been away from the centre of the Hearts defence. Webster captained the Hearts team in the absence of the suspended Zaliukas and I suspect 'Smokey' will be given the armband for keeps next season.

The negatives for the maroons is the worrying lack of a goal threat. Kevin Kyle's absence is keenly felt and while Skacel and Elliott are capable of scoring, when they are both off the pace - as they were today - there is no one else to threaten. With Dundee United continuing to edge closer to Hearts in the SPL - the gap is now eight points - this is something that may well be keeping Hearts boss Jim Jefferies awake at night.

On a positive note - happy 125th birthday, Tynecastle, one of Scotland's best football arenas. And, may I say what a pleasure it was to meet Vicky from Musselburgh at Tynecastle today. Vicky has made the odd comment or two on this blog and it was great to meet her at last (okay, Vickster, that's enough niceties for now...)

Finally, it was great to see Maroon View, a Hearts fanzine on the streets today. It's an excellent read - to get a copy contact maroonview@hotmail.co.uk

Heart of Midlothian 0 Motherwell 2

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 25 September 2010 - Tynecastle

After the disappointment of the CIS Insurance Cup defeat to Falkirk in midweek, this was an opportunity for Hearts to make amends to their hard-pressed fans by consolidating third place in the SPL. However, it was an opportunity missed as Hearts struggled to make any in-roads on a resolute Motherwell defence and Craig Brown's side left Gorgie with a thoroughly deserved victory.

The first half was decent enough and Hearts probably edged it without really troubling Randolph in the Motherwell goal. In fact it was the visitors who came closest to scoring when Murphy hit the post shortly before half-time. While Kevin Kyle made his presence felt as usual young David Templeton was earmarked by Motherwell as the main danger and was marked accordingly.

With Hearts struggling to make the breakthrough, Jim Jefferies made a double substitution early in the second half when he replaced Calum Elliot with Stephen Elliott and the struggling Templeton with the prodigal son Rudi Skacel but the pair were barely on the field when Motherwell took the lead. Humphrey had time and space to feed Blackman who steered the ball past Kello to open the scoring. Alarmingly, the Hearts heads appeared to go down at this point and Motherwell took charge of the game.

The pace of Humphrey troubled Hearts all afternoon and with the home side pressing for an equaliser, it was Motherwell who looked the more dangerous and likelier side to score. They did just this with twenty minutes left when Humphrey squared the ball to Sutton who slotted home to double the visitors lead - and end the game as a contest.

Hearts struggled with the pace of the Motherwell attack all afternoon and there's no doubt Craig Brown's team were worthy winners. In the end Hearts ran out of ideas and simply lumped the ball forward to Kyle - with no success. Well keeper Randolph could have sat next to me in the Wheatfield Stand for all he had to do - the fact Hearts had just one shot on target all afternoon (as opposed to Motherwell's eleven) spoke volumes.

Rudi Skacel did little on his brief return and for the home side only Jason Thomson and Adrian Mrowiec mustered passmarks. Rangers visit Tynecastle next weekend. As The Stranglers used to sing 'Something Better Change'...

Heart of Midlothian 0 Motherwell 2

Clydesdale Bank SPL, Saturday 24 April 2010 - Tynecastle.

I have to confess I wasn't at Tynecastle today so there's no mini report on the game. Apparently many of the Hearts players simply couldn't be arsed so it would appear I didn't miss much...

If only we still had the likes of Drew Busby playing - he would have booted a few backsides.

Phil O'Donnell Remembered

It's two years today since the tragic passing of footballer Phil O'Donnell. The Motherwell player died on the pitch playing for the Fir Park club against Dundee United. His death, not unnaturally, stunned Scottish football. Motherwell played their first game following Phil's passing against Hearts at Tynecastle a couple of weeks later. Below is the tribute I wrote for the match programme at that time. It's not only Motherwell fans who still mourn a great man's passing.

Along with many other Hearts supporters, I had recently been bemoaning the fact that my team had been struggling of late, had not won a game for weeks and were now embroiled in a fight against relegation, a situation a club of the stature of Heart of Midlothian FC should never find itself in. After the last match of 2007 – another defeat at Falkirk – I was agonising over just what had gone wrong with the team I love and trying to come to terms with the fact we were in third bottom place of the SPL, just ten points ahead of fast-improving Gretna. My wife knew - as she always knows when Hearts lose a game – that I had the world’s woes on my shoulder and left me to muse. Then the news came in that Motherwell’s captain Phil O’Donnell had died after collapsing during the game against Dundee United…

The death of someone aged just 35 is shocking in any event. That it should happen to a fit sportsman whose name was known to every Scottish football fan intensified the shock and feelings of disbelief felt that Saturday night. My immediate thoughts were with his young family whose devastation could only be imagined. I have a friend who is a die-hard Motherwell fan and since the draw had been made for today’s Scottish Cup Fourth Round tie, he had been ribbing me mercilessly about what his exciting team were going to do to Hearts, particularly after their recent impressive win in the SPL at Tynecastle. But he found it difficult to put into words how he felt that Saturday night. Like many other Motherwell fans, he remembered O’Donnell as an outstanding young player during his first spell at Fir Park. O’Donnell was a youthful member of the Motherwell team that famously won the Scottish Cup in 1991 after defeating Dundee United in one of the most memorable cup finals in living memory. O’Donnell wrote himself into Motherwell folklore by scoring in that game. The midfield player moved to Celtic soon after and eventually headed to Sheffield Wednesday before returning to the club where he made his name.

Usually, fans ridicule opposing players although this is often seen as a grudging mark of respect. The reaction of fans throughout Scotland on the news of Phil O’Donnell’s passing was a clear indication that here was a player widely respected. Former Scotland manager Craig Brown called him the model professional while Motherwell owner John Boyle called him an inspiration. Hearts fans on internet messageboards such as Jambos Kickback, Jambos.net and The Talk O’ the Toun were quick to offer their condolences to his grieving family. His Celtic connections may have instigated the odd abusive comment when he played against Hearts but there was no doubt that he was an integral part of the Motherwell team that, under the tutelage of Mark McGhee, had taken Scottish football by storm this season. As captain, O’Donnell was McGhee’s commander on the field of play and the manager, like everyone associated with Motherwell Football Club, was clearly devastated by the events of the last Saturday of the year.

O’Donnell’s death brought to mind another player with Motherwell connections who died at such a tragically young age more than a decade ago. Davie Cooper was 39 when he collapsed on the training field and his death in 1995 was another that shocked Scottish football. Only a few weeks earlier, Cooper had been playing at Tynecastle for Clydebank against Hearts in a Scottish Cup tie and there were the usual wags in the stand offering comments regarding his Zimmer frame and walking stick and not forgetting to collect his old-age pension from the post office the following morning. Motherwell fans will mourn the fact that, tragically, two members of that relatively recent cup winning side are now no longer with us.

Such awful events underline that for all the problems we think we have – and Hearts fans have been in despair in recent weeks as the Jambos continue in freefall – football is only a game. The family of Phil O’Donnell will never get over the passing of a thoroughly decent and hugely respected man although they may learn to cope with his loss with the passing of time. Part of this family is Motherwell forward David Clarkson who was O’Donnell’s nephew. Football managers often talk of strength of character but young Clarkson will need to show this like never before and in circumstances that have nothing to do with how he performs on the field of play.

At the time of writing this piece, Hearts had still to face Dundee United and Kilmarnock in the SPL. Defeats in both those games will have intensified the already considerable pressure on Anatoly Korobochka, Stevie Frail and the Hearts players. But the events of two weeks ago must surely put this in perspective.

Some things – as the players and officials of Motherwell FC and the family of a man who was a Motherwell legend will testify – are infinitely more important.