Sad tidings, no comfort, no joy

James Traynor

27 Dec 1989

Hearts 0, Celtic 0

ALEX MacDonald did not have to say anything.

It was obvious he was perplexed by what had gone on out on the turf of Tynecastle.

It would be his opinion that Hearts' task against Celtic was made harder because of the eccentricities of referee Kenny Hope.

There were several poor players on the pitch, but the official had a particularly bad day.

Some of Hope's judgments were incomprehensible, and he allowed a few players to behave like large children who had just had their sweets taken away.

He was particularly negligent after Dariusz Wdowczyk and Alan McLaren had met in an aerial collision in 26 minutes.

It was obvious to those players, especially John Robertson and Derek Whyte, that McLaren was seriously injured.

The young Hearts fullback lay motionless while play was allowed to sweep downfield.

McLaren required lengthy attention before he could be lifted on to a stretcher and taken indoors for further examination.

Afterwards MacDonald said the player had taken a knock on the back of his head and was unconscious for a few seconds.

When he came round, he could not feel his legs.

But he recovered all feeling when in the dressing room, and was allowed to go home to complete his recovery.

Jimmy Sandison took over, which meant that Hearts had committed both their substitutes.

Walter Kidd had been sent on for Dave McCreery, who hurt a knee, after only 18 minutes, and Hearts perhaps are due some credit for the manner in which they stuck with it, despite having had to make early alterations.

As though this was not enough heartache for them, they had to put up with a referee, who at times did not appear to know exactly what he was doing.

For instance, when Craig Levein went to block Andy Walker's progress in 50 minutes, and the Celtic player tumbled to the dirt, the referee pointed immediately to the spot, even though the foul had been committed outside the box.

However, Hope then changed his mind, and gave a free kick at the correct place.

Celtic did get a penalty, however, 20 minutes later when Walker fell after Henry Smith had advanced upon him.

It was a soft award, but Walker thumped the ball over the bar from the spot, and it was clear then that afternoon would end without either goalkeeper having to rummage around in the back of their nets.

Billy McNeill also could claim to have been bewildered by some of the referee's decisions, but both managers ought to be more concerned about the lack of quality play.

A crowd of 23,259 saw a match full of incident, and most of it unsavoury, but little football.

One of the best touch players in the business, the imaginative Paul McStay, was able to make only fleeting intrusions, and must have been dismayed by the madness going on all around.

McStay's problem is that too often he is surrounded in midfield by players who can play this game without a ball.

He was a forlorn figure at times as he scampered about trying to spread the gospel, but few others were interested.

Once, just before the interval, when he went to take a corner in front of the Tynecastle terracing always reserved for Hearts' fans, he appeared to have become the target for small missiles.

A man of his creative talents must wonder at times like this if it is all worth the bother.

Still, all he has to do is to avoid being damaged in the Saturday stampedes, and he will have the World Cup finals to play.

He will be among kindred spirits in Italy.

Roy Aitken might be in a new environment before then if Newcastle continue their pursuit of his signature.

They fancy his experience, but there were times yesterday when his behaviour was questionable.

He tackled Scott Crabbe twice in rapid succession early in the first half and although he could have been booked for the first challenge, he was shown a yellow card for the second lunge, which looked much worse than it was.

Before the referee could have his attention, Aitken bent over Crabbe and spoke to him for several seconds, and it can be taken for granted that the Celtic captain was not passing on his best wishes.

When Crabbe got to his feet, Aitken applauded and it was obvious he believed the Hearts player's antics had resulted in the booking.

Whatever the reasons for his animated state, Aitken really must leave all of that behind.

Besides, he should know better.

Paul Elliott and Gary Mackay also were booked in a foul-tempered game which produced precious few genuine opportunites.

Apart from Walker's penalty the best chance was created by Hearts a minute before half time when John Colquhoun flicked Robertson clear on the left, and he squared to Crabbe.

However, the ball bounced awkwardly, and his shot from 18 yards trundled wide of the mark.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, Levein, McCreery, McPherson, Colquhoun, Mackay, Robertson, Crabbe, Bannon.

Substitutes -- Sandison, Kidd.

CELTIC -- Bonner, Munro, Wdowczyk, Aitken, Elliott, Whyte, Galloway, McStay, Dziekanowski, Walker, Hewitt.

Substitutes -- Grant, Coyne.

Referee -- K Hope (Clarkston).