For the 2nd week in a row, Hearts picked up three points at home in a game that could have gone either way.
The hero again was young Gary Glen who scored the winner ten minutes from time. However his all round contribution was, like last week, admirable – this boy has good ball control, pace, movement and anticipation.
Calum Elliot partnered Glen up front, and in the first ten minutes both lads looked lively and creative. However, while Glen continued to cause the ICT defence some problems, Elliot started to look frustrated and drifted in and out of the game. On occasions he got involved in some decent moves, but too often these were overshadowed by his clumsiness and poor attitude.
On a day when Hearts had eight U-19 boys in the squad, including 16 year-old Scott Robinson (who has made it into the Scotland U-17 squad this year), this game was ideal for any young player wanting to impress Stevie Frail and the fans. Young Gary certainly did that. However Elliott really ought to be kicking himself tonight for failing to turn in a decent performance beyond the first ten minutes. Sure, I`ve seen him play worse, but his was an end of season game with nothing at stake against an average team – is it too much to expect Elliot to raise his game for 90 minutes in these circumstances? When he went off after 75 minutes (replaced by Zaliukas – work that one out !!), he got several pats on the back by the coaches. Quite bewildering really – and a sign that I would never make the grade as a football coach !!!
Young Robinson made history when he replaced Glen in the final minute of regulation time, becoming the youngest ever player to play in the Hearts first team. A fine ovation was given to both lads. However the timing of the substitution was bizarre. I mean, if you’re going to give a youngster a wee taste of playing at this level, does TWO MINUTES send out the right message to the lad?
When the final whistle sounded, young Scott showed his frustration at having only managed a couple of touches.
I’m please to report that Jason Thomson looked a bit more ‘at home’ this week than he did against St.Mirren. With Matej Rapnik and Mark Ridgers also on the bench, it was good to see Frail willing to show the route to the first team for the most promising of our youngsters
Player Ratings
Banks 7
Made some very good saves, but his kicking was poor .
Thomson 6
Better display today. Too early to say if he’ll be better than Robbie though.
Berra 7
Solid defending. Looks happier now than at any time this season.
Karipidis 7
Another solid defender. Nearly scored with a first-half header from a corner.
Goncalves 6
Manages to look cool, classy, awful and amateurish in the space of 90 minutes.
Cesnauskas 3
Deserves to be punted on this display. Very poor. Missed a sitter in the first half.
Jonsson 5
Has gone ‘off the boil’, but still tackles well.
Palazuelos 6
Hability, but blew hot and cold – I’m not sure what to make of him really.
Mikoliunas 7
Still poor at the final pass/shot, but lots of good running today.
Glen 8
So much to admire about the way he plays the game. Surely one for the future !!!
Elliot 5
Bright start, then seemed to lose interest and confidence.
