Hearts finally return to winning ways in Gorgie
Heart of Midlothian 5 St Mirren 2
Ladbrokes Premiership, Saturday 9th
November 2019 – Tynecastle Park
After
nearly eight months without a win in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Tynecastle,
Hearts finally tasted a league victory in Gorgie after St Mirren were put to
the sword on Saturday. With Craig Levein relieved of his duties as manager,
Hearts shook off the shackles of caution to record a vital win to move up the league
table.
Austin
MacPhee was in temporary charge as Hearts search for a new manager and he made
five changes to the team that surrendered all too easily to Rangers in the
Betfred Cup semi-final at Hampden last Sunday. Clevid Dikamona, Andy Irving and
Uche Ikpeazu all returned to the starting line up while a huge welcome greeted
the return of long-term injury victims Steven Naismith and Jamie Walker.
On
a bitterly cold November afternoon Hearts made a bright start and, encouragingly,
took the lead after just six minutes. A corner from Andy Irving was met by
Steven Naismith who steered his shot into the net to great relief around most
of Tynecastle.
Hearts
looked bright and looked threatening going forward, not something that was
always a feature of play under Craig Levein. However, the defensive frailties
of late were still apparent and St Mirren equalised in the 20th minute
when Foley’s cross was headed on by Andreu for Obika to smash the ball home.
Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
09/11/2019.
Pic shows: Hearts’ Right Winger, Steven Naismith, shields the ball from St Mirren defender, Paul McGinn, as Hearts play host to St Mirren in the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiereship, Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh.
Credit: Ian Jacobs
One
wondered how Hearts would react and it took them less than ten minutes to do
so. Aaron Hickey’s throw-in was nodded on by Naismith for Uche Ikpeazu whose
shot on goal cannoned off McLoughlin and into the net. Hearts back in front and
surely lessons had been learnt about keeping things tight. Not so.
Just
three minutes later, St Mirren were back on level terms thanks to more shoddy
defending. Captain Christophe Berra seemed to be dreaming as a long ball came
towards him. This allowed Mullen to collect the ball and despatch it beyond
Joel Pereira to make it 2-2.
The
tension was showing on the Hearts players and fans alike but there was more
relief when the Maroons went back in front two minutes from half-time. Michael
Smith crossed from the right and Oliver Bozanic headed the ball past Hladky to
make it 3-2 to Hearts at the interval.
The
second half was but a minute old when Hearts gave themselves some much-needed
breathing space by adding a fourth goal. Smith, again, was the provider when
his cross was headed powerfully home by the returning Jamie Walker who ran to
the jubilant home support in the Gorgie Stand to celebrate.
This
knocked the stuffing out of the visitors and Hearts assumed control of the
game. They duly added a fifth goal 13 minutes from the end and waited to serve
the best until last. The much-maligned Jake Mulraney collected the ball on the
left, cut inside and curled a magnificent shot from 20 yards beyond Hladky and
into the net for a quite superb goal. As stadium announcer Scott Wilson declared
it was a contender for goal of the season.
The
Paisley Saints tried hard for a consolation goal but a resolute Hearts defence
stood firm and the Gorgie boys duly recorded their first home win in the league
since defeating Aberdeen at the end of March.
It
was far from a perfect performance from Hearts but it was all about getting a vital
win today. The influence of Steven Naismith cannot be underestimated. The
former Everton and Norwich striker marked his return to the team with a goal
and he man-managed the Hearts team all around the park – including his captain
Christophe Berra! As suggested by this this website back in January the role of
player-manager for Naismith may well be a serious consideration for Ann Budge.
That
said, Hearts today looked much more dangerous going forward under the managership
of Austin MacPhee than they had done under Craig Levein and, for once, the
Maroon Army left Tynecastle on a Saturday in fine fettle.
One swallow
doesn’t make a summer – but at least
Hearts are beating again.
Hearts: Pereira; Smith, Dikamona, Berra, Hickey; Walker (Damour, 62′), Irving, Bozanic; Ikpeazu (Meshino, 80′), Naismith, White (Mulraney, 60′)
St Mirren: Hladky, P. McGinn, Waters, S. McGinn (Durmus, 58′), McLoughlin, Magennis, Obika, Andreu (Moias, 78′), Foley, Mullen, Broadfoot (MacKenzie, 68′).
Referee: Euan Anderson
Attendance: 16,165
Top man: A close run thing between Uche
Ikpeazu and Steven Naismith but the nod goes to the Scotland striker for his
immense contribution to the team.