Hamilton Academical 0 Heart of Midlothian 0
Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership, Sunday 24 January 2016, New Douglas Park
The last time Hearts visited New Douglas Park the game ended in controversial circumstances as Robbie Neilson’s side lost 3-2 with defender Callum Paterson being ordered off by referee Willie Collum – a decision that proved to be incorrect and the red card rescinded days later. Neilson didn’t disguise his thoughts after the game and that August afternoon in Lanarkshire left a sour taste in the mouths of those with an allegiance to the Maroons.
Five months on, Hearts returned to the scene to face an Accies team who had suffered the embarrassment of an 8-1 trouncing to Celtic on Tuesday evening. As if to disprove the adage that lightning doesn’t strike twice, Hearts had another defender – Igor Rossi – red-carded and a long afternoon ensued for the Maroons. There was nothing contentious about this red card though and while Accies also had a player sent off – Garcia – this was with just five minutes left for play and, having thrashed Accies neighbours Motherwell 6-0 last weekend, Hearts had to be content with a goalless draw.
Robbie Neilson opted for the same starting eleven from that side who played so well eight days ago. However, the opening stages of this game were a marked contrast to last week’s sparkling display.
Crawford had the first chance for the home side in 13 minutes but his free-kick was easily saved by Hearts keeper Neil Alexander. Four minutes later the visitors should have gone ahead when Alim Ozturk’s pass found Igor Rossi who produced a fine save from Accies keeper McGovern. The subsequent rebound fell to Callum Paterson but the defender’s effort merely trickled goalwards and McGovern saved without too much trouble.
After 31 minutes a fine pass from Miguel Pallardo found Osman Sow and it looked inevitable the Swedish striker would open the scoring. However, the former Crystal Palace striker, who has attracted interest from other clubs Scotland and beyond in this transfer window, fired his shot wide – which wouldn’t have impressed any potential suitors.
Gavin Reilly then set up Prince Buaben but, again, the former Dundee United man’s effort on goal was wide. At least Billy King managed to keep his shot on goal on target soon after but McGovern was equal to the impressive strike and saved well.
The suspicion this wasn’t going to be Hearts day was enhanced five minutes before half-time when Igor Rossi lunged in with a two-footed tackle on Lyon. Referee Bobby Madden showed a red card to the Brazilian defender with yellow cards shown to Alim Ozturk and Prince Buaben as they doth protest too much. Gavin Reilly was sacrificed for Jordan McGhee as Robbie Neilson made a tactical switch before half-time.
Half-time Hamilton Accies 0 Hearts 0
The second half assumed the inevitable pattern of ten man Hearts hitting on the break and Accies, after their mauling at Celtic Park on Tuesday, looking rather unsure of whether to press for a goal or be content with a goalless scoreline.
Devlin came closest for the home team with a couple of headers, the first of which was scrambled off the line by the Hearts defence before the second was flagged for offside meaning Neil Alexander’s brilliant save was superfluous.
Despite being a man short, it looked like Hearts defence would not be breached and, indeed, Robbie Neilson’s side almost went in front when captain Ozturk’s cross was headed goalwards by Blazej Augustyn but his effort, in keeping with the afternoon, bounced off the crossbar and Accies breathed again.
The home side were reduced to ten men when Garcia mimicked the long-departed Rossi with a fierce challenge on Hearts Arnaud Djoum. For the second time in the afternoon, referee Bobby Madden had no choice but to show a red card. Ten-a-side for the remaining five minutes and Hearts almost nicked all three points when Dario Zanatta’s header – like Augustyn’s – bounced off the crossbar. Juanma also had a chance at the end of the game but he was denied by McGovern.
Robbie Neilson attempted to look at the positives after the game.
“I thought we kept our shape well when we went down to 10 men” he told BBC Radio Scotland. “I’ve got no qualms about the red card. We created some good chances and could have won the game. Hamilton at home is a really difficult place to come, with the wind and the pitch that they train on every day. The players gave us everything and that’s all you can ask.”
Hearts hopes of catching Aberdeen for second place in the league now look rather forlorn with a gap of eight points. At least it looks unlikely they’ll need to return to New Douglas Park again this season.
Hamilton: McGovern, Gordon, Kurakins, Devlin, Imrie, D’Acol, Crawford, Kurtaj, MacKinnon (Docherty, 46′), Lyon (Brophy, 74′), Tagliapietra (Tena, 46′).
Hearts: Alexander, Paterson, Ozturk, Augustyn, Rossi, King (Zanatta, 46′), Pallardo, Djoum, Buaben, Reilly (McGhee, 38′), Sow (Juanma, 70′).
Referee: Bobby Madden
Att: 2,684
Top man: Arnaud Djoum
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
