SPFL,
Saturday 19 April 2014 – Tynecastle
It seemed like the dawning
of a new era at Tynecastle on Saturday. The news during the week that Hearts
look very likely to exit administration before too long – a situation they have
been in since June last year – enabling Ann Budge to take over the running of
the club before passing it over in years to come to the Foundation of Hearts,
the supporters group, has instilled a fresh spirit of hope and anticipation in
Gorgie. Yet again, the Hearts supporters turned up in their numbers – nearly
13,700 to see a team already relegated – and they chanted their support for
their club incessantly, declaring they will do this forever more. Even the
weather joined in the new beginning for the club as bright sunshine beamed on
Tynecastle Stadium as the feel-good factor made a rare visit.
As befitting such an
occasion, the Hearts players ensured the result the home support wanted by
recording their third win in four league games against a Ross County side
themselves embroiled in a relegation battle, with the eleventh placed side in
the SPFL Premiership faced with a dreaded relegation play-off against a
Championship promotion hopeful. It’s a situation Hearts city rivals also find
themselves in and when legendary stadium announcer Scott Wilson announced that
Hibernian were a goal down in Paisley before Hearts had even kicked off, it
brought predicable loud acclaim from those in maroon.
Hearts manager Gary Locke,
whose name was chanted by the home support, opted to have Dale Carrick playing
the lone attacker with Ryan Stevenson playing just behind the youngster. It was
Stevenson who had the game’s first real chance after six minutes when his
effort from the edge of the County penalty box curled past the post.
Fine play from Carrick and
another impressive youngster, Billy King, saw the latter have an opportunity to
open the scoring. With this reporter having the Queen’s Shilling on King to be
first scorer, I tried manfully to contain my disappointment when the youngster
opted to pass to Stevenson rather than shoot for glory and the chance was lost.
The visitors enjoyed much
possession but did little to threaten Hearts keeper Jamie MacDonald. The next
chance fell to Hearts Ryan Stevenson but his effort from some distance flew
wide, in keeping with the pattern of the first half. Half-time arrived with the
game goalless but there was some cheer for the home support at the interval
when Tynecastle legend Rudi Skacel appeared to make the half-time draw. Hearts
fans still retain hope the great man will line up for Hearts in the
Championship next season.
The second half soon adopted
the pattern of the first. Carey soon had an opportunity for the visitors but
his effort on goal ended in the Roseburn Stand much to the chagrin of those
from Dingwall. On the hour mark, Hearts Sam Nicholson played a one-two with
Billy King on the edge of the County penalty box but young Sam’s effort was
easily saved by the County keeper, Brown, who was the Hibernian goalkeeper who
shipped five goals in the 2012 Scottish Cup final, a fact the goading home
support were keen to remind him.
Moments later, a goal did
arrive in somewhat controversial circumstances. Hearts Kevin McHattie set off
on a trademark run into the opposition penalty box only to be thwarted by
County’s Kiss. Penalty declared referee Willie Collum who, it has to be said,
didn’t enjoy the best of afternoons. The award seemed of the softish variety and
the County players voiced their displeasure. Hearts Jamie Hamill, who had been
booked a few moments earlier, stepped up and executed the penalty with his customary
precision and Hearts were ahead. However, Hamill celebrated by picking up the
ball and running towards the Hearts support in the old main stand, pursued by the
referee and a posse of County players - one of whom, Songo’o, pushed the Hearts
man. When County manager Derek Adams tried to intervene, he and Hamill clashed
with the Staggies boss tumbling to the ground. Referee Collum then flashed a
second yellow card to Hamill meaning the end of the game for the Hearts player –
and also meaning he will miss next week’s Edinburgh derby at Easter Road.
A man short, Hearts were now
on the defensive but it was Scott Robinson who had a chance to clinch victory;
however, he opted to shoot straight at keeper Brown to ensure County remained
in the game. Nonetheless, Hearts sealed a fine win in the fourth minute of
stoppage time when they broke forward from a County attack. Robinson squared the
ball for Dale Carrick and the youngster duly despatched the ball beyond Brown
to end the scoring and continue a curious penchant for late goals in this
fixture.
Hearts, it seems, have found form at a point in the
season when it is too late to rectify their league position. Remarkably, victory
at Easter Road next Sunday will mean Hearts will have won more league games
than Hibernian this season – and also increase the prospect of both Edinburgh
sides being relegated this season.
As the Hearts supporters streamed out of Tynecastle
on Saturday, the spring sunshine beaming on their backs, the old adage of hope
springs eternal sprang to mind. Hearts have been a sick patient this season. As
it draws to a close, Ann Budge and the Foundation of Hearts resuscitation of
this great club appears to be sparking a much-hoped for recovery. Perhaps next
season Hearts will be fighting fit once more.
Hearts: MacDonald; Paterson, McGowan, McKay, McHattie;
King, Hamill, Holt, Nicholson, Stevenson, Carrick.
Ross County: Brown, Cikos, Boyd, Kiss, Brittain, Quinn, Tidser, Carey,
Slew, Oikonomu, Sango'o.
Referee: Willie Collum
Att: 13,692
Top man: Dale Carrick
