SPFL Saturday 28 September 2013 – Tynecastle Stadium
After the high drama of the penalty shoot-out victory over Queen of the South on Wednesday evening, Hearts returned to league business and the visit of in-form Dundee United on Saturday.
Hearts manager Gary Locke made a couple of changes to the side involved in the energy-sapping two hour League Cup win with Jordan McGhee replacing Brad McKay in defence and David Smith starting ahead of Gary Oliver in an attacking midfield role.
After a quiet opening few minutes, Hearts were first to threaten when Jason Holt tested United keeper Cierzniak with a low shot, although it lacked any real power to cause a real threat. Then, Calum Paterson almost found the net when David Smith’s free-kick came off an United defender but the forward’s attempt to score was blocked by the United custodian.
United, in keeping with all Hearts opponents this season, had the more experienced players, one of whom, on-loan Blackburn Rovers striker David Goodwillie, hit the side-netting with a first time effort from outside the penalty box. It was Goodwillie again who, in the 23rd minute, provided a brilliant pass for Rankin whose effort on goal was blocked well by Hearts keeper Jamie MacDonald.
Hearts seemed to be content to hit on the counter-attack and skipper Danny Wilson was first to react to Holt’s corner but his attempt on goal lacked direction. It was another more experienced Hearts head who almost opened the scoring 12 minutes before half time. Jamie Hamill fired in a ferocious effort from fully 25 yards which Cierzniak pushed over the crossbar. From the subsequent corner, Danny Wilson was again left unmarked but the former Liverpool player couldn’t keep his header low enough.
Just before half-time came an incident for which this game will be remembered for some time – and possibly at the end of the season. Calum Paterson’s long throw-in into the United penalty box was flapped at by Cierzniak. Hearts young Australian defender Dylan McGowan took full advantage and fired the ball into the net from barely two yards out. Hearts joy was short-lived, however, when referee Steven McLean apparently saw an infringement from a Hearts player and disallowed the goal, a decision met by incredulity by Gary Locke and anger by the majority of the near 14,000 crowd.
A decent first half, therefore, ended goalless.
United almost broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second half. Jamie Hamill lost possession and Ciftci almost took full advantage with his effort on goal pushed away by Jamie MacDonald. Ciftci came even closer ten minutes later when he hit the post and it looked like Hearts were beginning to feel the effects of their midweek exertions, a fact acknowledged by Gary Locke as he brought on Ryan Stevenson – whose comeback from injury is most welcome – Callum Tapping and Billy King.
With eight minutes remaining, Jamie Walker set off on one of those runs for which he has become renowned but his effort on goal was weak and easily saved by Cierzniak.
A point apiece was probably a fair outcome of a match in which there was effort aplenty but, as the old cliché goes, lacked a cutting edge.
Hearts are now on -7 points but will doubtless feel it should be -5 following the mysterious nullifying of McGowan’s goal. With every point precious in Hearts fight to avoid relegation, it would be interesting to hear referee Steven McLean’s explanation as to why the goal didn’t stand – but don’t expect to hear this any time soon.
Hearts: MacDonald; McGhee, McGowan, Wilson, McHattie, Robinson, Holt, Hamill, Walker, Paterson, Smith
Dundee Utd: Cierzniak, Watson, Souttar, Dillon, Robertson, Paton, Rankin, Gauld, Armstrong, Ciftci, Goodwillie.
Referee: Steven McLean
Att: 13,970
Top man: Danny Wilson
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
