This was a really big result for Hearts given what happened last Wednesday at Parkhead. The good news is that the players who came in to freshen things up yesterday did very well, and as a result some of the football played was the best they’ve produced so far this year. Long may that continue…..
Player Ratings
Kello 6
No saves of note were required by Kello, but when called upon for coming off his line, etc he was solid and untroubled.
Thomson 8
My man of the match after an energetic performance up and down the right flank. Offers a lot more than Jonsson in my view….has pace and great ability to cross the ball on the run, which he did to great effect when setting up Skacel’s goal. Does need to temper his aggression a little at times, though.
Wallace 7
Better all round performance from Lee as he gradually eases himself back into things. Solid at the back and created openings going forward, most notably when laying a great chance on for Skacel early in the second half.
Bouzid 7
Another solid performance from Bouzid, who seems to have raised his game since all this talk of a transfer to England by tomorrow. We’ll soon know if there’s any truth in that of course – hopefully there isn’t as his partnership with Zaliukas has been good for the most part.
Zaliukas 7
Did have one slip but generally a very composed performance at the back. Strolled through the game with the exception of a particularly eye-watering first half incident which saw him taking a hit to an area of the body capable of turning the lowest of male voices into something resembling falsetto….!
Palazuelos 6
A typical ‘neat and tidy’ Ruben performance. Didn’t do much wrong, showed some nice turns and touches on the ball in his own half, but didn’t contribute anything outstanding either. Definitely more comfortable on the ball than Mrowiec, but then so am I!
Suso 6
Started the game in very lively fashion, giving us raw pace and aggression that worked well with Thomson down the right. However as soon as he was booked, he was walking on eggshells with his notoriously quick temper, which probably was the main reason he was eventually taken off.
Black 7
Put in a great shift throughout. Is always the target for some tough tackling but he gave as good as he got in that respect, and showed some good skills at times too.
Skacel 7
As ever, generally was involved in a anything Hearts did that was inventive, even if his finishing touch wasn’t on the money all of the time yesterday. Trademark run into the box in the third minute won us the points, and although he will be disappointed not to have taken a great second half chance laid on by Wallace, he’ll be pleased that his performance today was all about football rather than argy-bargy with the opposition.
Glen 5
His introduction along with Suso, Thomson and Obua yesterday did help Hearts to produce a more energetic performance, but when analysed individually, Glen was still a tad disappointing. Could do with an extra yard of pace to help sharpen up his game. Should have at least hit the target with one chance he had in the first half laid on by Wallace.
Obua 7
Much better performance than many were expecting. Won almost everything in the air and was involved in some clever link-up play with Skacel and Wallace at times, particularly in the first half.
Elliott 4
Nothing really happened for him after replacing Glen. Should probably have gotten on the scoresheet after great run from Driver.
Driver 5
Great to see him getting last 20 mins, and had one great run down the right which should have resulted in a goal. Encouraging.
Couldn’t seem to get to grips with pace of the game after coming on late in the game.
