Kilmarnock 2 Heart of Midlothian 3
Scottish League Cup Third Round, Wednesday 23 September 2015 – Rugby Park
Hearts brought their losing streak to an end in dramatic fashion in deepest Ayrshire when they defeated Kilmarnock 3-2 to progress to the quarter finals of the Scottish League Cup.
Robbie Neilson’s men fell behind to an early goal when Magennis put Killie ahead in the 13th minute and the Hearts defence again looked uncertain.
After a lucklustre first half, Hearts equalised with 15 minutes to go through captain Alim Ozturk – only for Gary Locke’s team to go back in front six minutes later through Magennis who netted his second goal of the tie.
Hearts refused to accept defeat, however, and turned the tie on its head in a dramatic final two minutes. Juanma and Sam Nicholson were the heroes to stun the home side and put Hearts into the quarter finals.
Kilmarnock: Ridgers, O’Hara, Ashcroft, Balatoni, Findlay, Hamill, Slater, Higginbotham, Kiltie, Obadeyi, Magennis.
Hearts: Alexander, Paterson, Ozturk, Augustyn, Rossi, Gomis, Buaben, Nicholson, Swanson King, Sow.
Referee: Craig Thomson
Att: 3,249
Top Man: Sam Nicholson
On the Hearts substitute bench was new signing Arnaud Djoum who has joined the Maroons until January.
The 26-year-old Belgian midfielder has spent the last week training with Hearts, having been a free agent since departing Polish side Lech Poznan in the summer.
Arnaud’, formerly of Dutch side Roda JC, was also with Turkish side Akhisar Belediyespor.
Robbie Neilson told the official Hearts website: “I’m pleased to get Arnaud in. He’s came in and he’s a good player with a good pedigree. He fitted in well with the group and he’ll be a great asset to us.
He’s on a deal until January so we can take a look at him and then see about extending it further, but I’m pleased to get him in the door.”
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
