Heart of Midlothian 1 Dundee 1
Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership, Saturday 21 November 2015 – Tynecastle
Hearts recent mini winning run in the Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership was brought to an end when they had to settle for a share of the points with Paul Hartley’s Dundee at Tynecastle on Saturday.
The Maroons looked good value for their 1-0 half-time lead after dominating the first half but, inexplicably, switched off in the second half to let the visitors secure a deserved point.
Hearts Head Coach Robbie Neilson brought in Juwon Oshaniwia, Miguel Pallardo and Billy King to replace Jordan McGhee – who would surely consider himself unfortunate to be back on the substitute’s bench after his recent impressive displays – Morgaro Gomis and the suspended Juanma.
After an impeccable minute’s silence to respect the victims of last week’s atrocities in Paris, Hearts were first to pose a threat on goal after five minutes when Sam Nicholson stormed forward to set up Osman Sow but the Swedish striker’s shot on goal was saved by Bain.
Hearts were dominating possession without making Bain work too hard for his money. However, the home side went ahead in the 23rd minute when a fine pass from Prince Buaben found Callum Paterson on the right wing. The Scotland under 21 defender fired in a magnificent cross which was met by Arnaud Djoum who headed firmly past Bain to the delight of the home fans in another sell-out Tynecastle crowd.
Hearts most recent signing almost doubled his side’s lead minutes later when he collected Sow’s pass and fired an effort on goal. The ball spun off a Dundee defender but was tipped over the bar by Bain to thwart the Maroons.
The final chance of a one-sided half fell to Osman Sow but, again, Bain saved well.
Half-time Hearts 1 Dundee 0
And there, dear reader, ended, for the most part, Hearts players involvement in the game. Perhaps sensing the game was won, the home side sat back and allowed Dundee to dictate play for the second forty-five minutes. Sam Nicholson did see a free kick pushed over the bar by Bain but Hearts barely threatened thereafter.
Dundee snatched a well-deserved equaliser midway through the second half. Stewart fed Loy with a fine pass and the forward raced through to fire a fine effort beyond Neil Alexander to equalise.
The Dees looked the likelier team to score and Hearts were hanging on somewhat at the end of the game.
Robbie Neilson was not a happy chappy after the game.
“I thought we were poor,” he told BBC Scotland.
“The first 20 minutes we dominated and were on top of the game. We created a lot of chances and then went to pot really.”
“We never performed or moved the ball quickly enough and started going through the motions. I think sometimes when you score a goal you think you will get another one quite easily. I try to install into the players you have to go and earn it.
We just went flat, the whole place was and we didn’t give the fans the energy.”
The result was particularly disappointing given league leaders Celtic were also held to a draw at home by Kilmarnock.
A disappointing afternoon. A decent first half display was followed by a second half which can best be described by a word you probably won’t find in any other report other than the Edinburgh Reporter – gash.
Hearts: Alexander, Paterson, Augustyn, Buaben (Reilly, 65′), Sow, Nicholson, King (Gomis, 34′), Pallardo, Djoum (Swanson, 84′), Rossi, Oshaniwa.
Dundee: Bain, Holt, McPake (Konrad, 70′), Stewart, Loy, Thomson, Hemmings, Extabeguren (Gadzhalov, 81′), Ross, McGowan, McGinn.
Referee: Kevin Clancy
Att: 16,736
Top man: Blazej Augustyn
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
