News

Hearts Beat United At Last

|
Image for Hearts Beat United At Last

Hearts finally recorded a positive result over bogey team Dundee United yesterday when Larry Kingston’s first half goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Craig Levein’s Europe-seeking outfit.

It wasn’t so long ago that a match against United represented an almost certain three points for the JTs, but since former Tynecastle stalwart Levein’s arrival at Tannadice, the Jambos have had a miserable time of it in this fixture, with a couple of real hammerings both home and away being included in a barren run of results.

United’s former captain Barry Robson was a key figure in helping his side to achieve most of those results, and although the team have still done very well since his departure to Celtic, perhaps it is no coincidence that Hearts have finally recorded this result in his absence.

I didn’t make it along to Tynecastle yesterday, but the few reports I have heard would seem to indicate that Hearts did merit their victory, and in fact could have had more goals had it not been for some poor finishing. However it does also sound as though United were guilty of the same at crucial points in the match, so perhaps those reports came through ever-so-slightly maroon tinted spectacles! Who knows…

This result does keep alive Hearts’ chances of making the top six after the SPL splits in a week’s time, but the odds are still slightly against them I would say. A victory over Kilmarnock next week at Rugby Park is imperative, but we also have to rely on Aberdeen taking something from Falkirk in their match at Pittodrie the following Monday. Not impossible of course, but not completely in Hearts’ hands.

One thing of interest I thought, was seeing Hearts giving run-outs to the likes of Zaliukas, Mikoliunas (both started the match) and most notably, Ivaskevicius in front of owner Vladimir Romanov. I wonder if anyone else is oncex against doubting whether or not Frail truly is in charge of selecting the team?

Ah well…..the bandwagon rolls onto Rugby Park……


Share this article

MrH

Come on the famous!

11 comments

  • e-jambo says:

    Spirit and fight far beyond the reaches of what was witnessed against Falkirk. Hearts were greatly improved. Had Ruben’s decision making been a little better it could easily have been 3 or 4. Stewart needs to find his touch and quickly. Far too many untidy passes which always seemed to have a bounce on them making them difficult to receive. Nade looked lazy at times and should probably have made it 2-0 at the death, although he was still more effective than Elliot. One of the best performances from Neilson I’ve seen in a long while and to top it off, the home support even chanted Miko’s name as he was substituted due to an injury. I think he was even announced as MotM. Ugly at times from the JTs but a welcome result.

  • StockportJambo says:

    Was set to go to this one, but there was a mix up with the transport so I didn’t. 🙁 Listened on HW though, and it sounded like several players had decent performances – Jose, Miko and Neilson in particular. And that touch of class from Kingston is always welcome. Still don’t have much hope of us getting top 6 (Aberdeen having nothing to play for against Falkirk if we win against Killie) but very glad that there was a bit more fight & spirit in the performance.

  • Specs Haver says:

    On the contrary, StockportJambo, Aberdeen have a chance to get into the Top 6 too, if they win and we don’t. Saturday’s game was like others which we have lost this season (e.g. ICT and Utd at home in November/December) – it was pretty even and could have gone either way. But at least we did show a bit more effort than against Falkirk. Sadly we have no-one with any composure around the box, so one goal is about all we’re likely to manage – thankfully the defence is bearing up well.

  • StockportJambo says:

    If we don’t beat Killie, then it’s pretty much all over for us. But due to an unbiased scheduling decision by the SPL that can only be described as “inspired”, Aberdeen don’t play till the Monday night, so they will know if there is anything to play for before they even kick off.

  • Specs Haver says:

    I think the Dons game is due to be on Setanta – hence the Monday evening. Sorry – yes – I see what you mean now. To be honest, I’m in two minds about whether being in the Top 6 is good for us long-term. Romanov might be be impressed, and give the Frail the job permanently ? And what likelihood is there that youngsters like McGowan or Glen would get a game against the OF or Hibs ?

  • MrH says:

    Know what you mean about Frail, and if you actually look at his record it stands up pretty well in terms of raw results. That’s what managers tend to be judged by too, but surely he can’t be appointed full time.

  • StockportJambo says:

    I may end up with egg on my face here, but I honestly believe that if Frail was really going to be given the job full time he would have been given it from the start. They wouldn’t have announced that they were looking for an “experienced manager” to the world if they were just going to give it to Shaggy… or if he was even in the running. The noises coming out from people like Mark Donaldson and Laurence Brodie is that we may not have very long to wait. We’ll see…

  • MrH says:

    We won’t, but we may be disappointed with the name…….

  • StockportJambo says:

    I have very few expectations on that, MrH.

  • jonnyjambo16 says:

    Good result for hearts in a game i feel we domoinated. Did anyone else happen to catch wilkie’s blatent dive and hunts elbow on zali?
    Ratings would have to be
    Basso 6 – Nothing to do but when called upon done well but kicking was awful.
    Neilson 9 – Best game in a long time with attacking and defending both really well. He seems to do his best when larry’s playiong on hte right.
    Goncalves 7 – Solid but still not as good as he can be.
    Zaliukas 7 – OK against hunt but karypidis and tall are still better.
    Berra 9 – Took de vries out the game with an excellent performance.
    Kingston 10 – Superb to have him back with his skill and runs being a particular highlight and looked like the run out for ghana done him the wrold of good.
    Mikoliunas 10 – Best game in hearts shirt in a long time and if starting to show signs of what ability we all know he posseses
    Palazuelos 8 – Played really well but the only thing that let him down was some poor desicion making.
    Stewart 6 – Another bad performance by stewart attacking wise but did win the ball a lot in the ehart of midfield.
    Jonsson 7 – Solid nothing special but done his job perfectly.
    Nade 2 – Awful performance as he was so lazy and to sum oit up were 2 incidents. 1. Argues with Frail about tactics. 2. Ruben about to cross ball in box and where is nade walking to the box from the half way line.

  • Specs Haver says:

    I’d say you’re being generous in some of your ratings, JJ16. Kingston took a while to get into the game in a worthwhile way, despite his goal. Although Miko did well, the continued lack of a decent final ball will always prevent him getting a 10 in my book. Actually, I’d rate Nade higher than you – he buckled down a bit in the 2nd half and held on to the ball quite well. Just my opinions.

    As for your 6 for Stewart …. don’t get me started.

Leave a Reply to e-jambo Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *