Those fans who made it along to Tynecastle for the opening SPL fixture of the 2008/09 season witnessed one of the most entertaining games in recent years, as Hearts just edged out Motherwell 3-2.
Four weeks ago, the prospect of managerless Hearts starting the season against the team who finished 3rd in the SPL last season – with Mark McGhee still in charge – was a rather depressing one for most of us.
Even with the inspiring Csaba Laszlo now in charge at Hearts, getting any points from the Motherwell game looked like a tall order considering that the team had no new players.
However we witnessed a workman-like performance in which many of the players looked to have raised their games compared to last season. Michael Stewart and Andy Driver in particular looked to have a new sense of purpose, while Jamie Mole at last showed that he can play football by displaying good ball control, movement and vision, especially in the second half. Hristos Karipdis played in a defensive midfield role, and while he wasn’t exactly outstanding, he was able to foil several Motherwell moves.
An early chance fell to Ksanavicius inside the box following a defensive mistake, but his shot was too close to the keeper. The same player scored Hearts second goal, bravely poking home a 50-50 ball ahead of the keeper. Despite this, I was disappointed with his performance – most of his passes went astray, and somehow he gives the impression that he is faster than he really is – those legs go like the clappers but it seems as though he’s running backwards most of the time!
Hearts’ first goal came from Michael Stewart, supporting a nice passing move at the edge of the penalty box – this is the kind of function we’d all like to see him performing more often. In a similar way to the likes of Paul Hartley and Colin Cameron in years gone by, Stewart burst through the gap beyond the strikers and confidently swept the ball into the corner of the net. Let’s hope this sort of thing continues.
The winning goal came late in the game, shortly after David Clarkson had levelled the game for the second time. Saul Mikoliunas had only been on the pitch a few minutes when he controlled a pass on the right and, from 20 yards out, blasted a shot high into the net – a memorable goal, especially since we’re all aware of where most of Miko’s shots end up!
A bizarre incident happened after this when Motherwell were lining up a free-kick outside Hearts penalty area. As Steve Banks lined up his wall, Paul Quinn of Motherwell stood a couple of feet in front of him, blocking his view. Neither the referee nor linesman saw anything wrong in this, but it was a tactic which clearly annoyed Banks. A team-mate eventually pulled him back before the free-kick sailed harmlessly past the post, but I’d like to know the official verdict on whether or not this is a legitimate tactic, and had a goal ensued, if the referee would have adjudged Quinn to have been interfering with play.
All in all though, a great start to the season for Hearts, and one which perhaps gives us all a little bit more optimism than we otherwise would have had. Roll on next week!
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I definitely share your optimism mate. Excellent afternoon’s football at Tynie, although we shouldn’t get too carried away – too early to tell now, but Motherwell may struggle this season on this evidence, meaning that all we did was play well against a poor side. We’ll have a better idea of any progress made in a couple of months time, but it’s just great to see these guys putting a shift in for the new manager…..and also great watching Csaba’s antics on the touchline!
I’m just jealous I couldn’t be there! It sounded like a cracking game, and at 3-2, I was positively jumping around my study… to sounds from Tynie that I’ve not heard for a long long time. The thing that has impressed me the most is not that we won the game, or that we scored three goals, but the simple fact that every player seemed to do everything they could for the cause. That’s all we can ask as fans, and the players are responding. Long may it continue.
great performances form both teams and a cracking match
same again against rangers and its six points
Oh dear – optimism is a terrible thing, when you’re a Hearts fan, Steve Bhoy !! I’m still expecting zilch from Ibrox.
Yes, Rangers may be awful, but teams outwith the OF seem to have a habit of lowering themselves to Rangers level.
Indeed, and given the sort of decision that robbed St Mirren at Parkhead yesterday, I wouldn’t be overly hopeful of many favours on Saturday!
Have to agree with MrH.. MacPherson, Levin are all saying the same thing, but the media is making out that it is all in Vlad’s paranoid mind! Anyway, Hearts is in a much better position to make an impact now thanks to Csaba. Bring it on!
All we can do is ask that our team do themselves justice – if they get robbed by the usual refereeing nonsense that goes on in Glasgow there’s really nothing they can do about that. Positive signs so far….
Agreed. I’m not expecting anything from Ibrox apart from the usual stonewaller penalty denied (& booked for diving), followed immediately by a soft penalty for getting in Velicka’s way at the other end. Put money on it happening. Oh, and Stewart to get sent off for looking at the ref in a funny way. Btw, this isn’t paranoia – it’s just experience…
It is, although you have highlighted one thing I’d like to see sorted – Stewart not talking as much to referees. You could say some of his bookings have been harsh, but he’s his own worst enemy sometimes.