Robertson returns at the double.

Hearts striker is the hero as Soviets pay for rough tactics.

james traynor

4 Oct 1990

Hearts 3, Dnepr 1

(agg: 4-2)

THERE were times when they lived dangerously, but Hearts thoroughly deserved their place in tomorrow's UEFA Cup second-round draw.

They managed to subdue a talented Soviet team long enough to open up a handsome gap, and by the time Dnepr began to play it was too late.

A chill wind swirled around Tynecastle but all those Hearts' sympathisers, all 18,760 of them, were warmed by some stirring sights.

They saw Davie McPherson open the scoring and then John Robertson sent them into ecstasy when he scored two, one on each side of Dnepr's only breakthrough.

Robertson, in fact, was a constant source of concern for the side from the Ukraine whose tall defenders seemed unable to cope with the diminutive striker.

Robertson, of course, scored Hearts' goal in the 1-1 first-leg draw a fortnight ago and as well as serving to nudge his team further down the European trail his brace last night was a timely reminder to Andy Roxburgh, who this morning will name his squad for the European Championship qualifying match against Switzerland.

The little fellow is making it impossible for the international manager to ignore him.

However, there were sterling displays from others last night and Eamonn Bannon also deserves to be mentioned in despatches.

He brought all of his experience into play and although his ageing legs began to move slower towards the end, his contribution was remarkable.

Dnepr may depart Edinburgh this morning wondering what might have happened had they started to play long before the second half.

It was only then that their true menace was revealed.

Hearts made several changes to the side which played in the first leg, but it was Robertson, a player not unfamiliar to Dnepr, who caused the Soviets trouble in the early moments when tension stalked the pitch.

The diminutive striker, who had missed Saturday's game against Dundee United because of a head knock, was sharp and eager on his return.

His markers towered over him and if he felt intimidated he hid it well and proceeded to do what he does best -- score goals.

Gerasthenko displayed a chilling disregard for the well-being of others when he crunched into Wright and left him writhing in pain.

It was only after considerable treatment that the midfield player was able to struggle back on to his pins.

The midfield player's face was contorted as he hirpled back into position, but it was obvious he was in too much discomfort and he was soon taken off and replaced by Mackay.

Nevertheless, before leaving the injured player had the warm consolation of seeing his team score twice in the space of 60 seconds and it would not have surprised him that both goals came after foul play by the visitors.

Bagmut pulled Robertson down and while McKinlay was preparing to take the free kick, Son and Gudimenko were busy trying to elbow McLaren and McPherson respectively as they moved into Dnepr's box.

McPherson rose above such primitive ploys and met McKinlay's cross to head in.

The foreigners were still glaring at Gudimenko, who had let the scorer escape, when Hearts surged back into the penalty area.

Colquhoun curled the ball into the middle and Ferguson's header was dropping nicely for Robertson when he tumbled in the shadow of Gerasthenko.

There was no leniency this time for the Soviet defender and the penalty was given.

Robertson got up and, from the spot, tucked the ball into the right hand corner of Gorodov's net.

Dnepr were rattled and their defenders seemed to lose composure whenever Hearts, particularly Robertson, darted towards them.

When the little one approached Begenar the defender, stricken by fear, resorted to pushing the striker to the ground.

Much had been said about Dnepr's speed in attack and this quality was displayed for the first time late in the half when Shakhov wrong-footed Levein and sped on to Sidelnikov's long pass.

Smith, diving to his left, knocked the ball away.

It was warning which Hearts ought to have heeded because Dnepr scored four minutes from the break.

McKinlay brought down Bagmut inside the box, and Shakhov scored from the spot.

Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, however, the Edinburgh side sprinted down the field and won a corner.

Colquhoun sent the ball in, McLaren nodded on, and Robertson finished off the move by scoring his second.

The second half began in the same manner as the first with Ferguson putting the ball in the net only to hear the sound of the referee's whistle signalling offside.

The striker, who has come back into favour only since the arrival of Jordan, has a handsome scoring record in European competition and it is always unwise to allow him space.

Then Smith produced a splendid save when he dived at the feet of Gudimenko, who had run on to Sidelnikov's through ball.

Suddenly the Soviets were buzzing and for the first time Hearts were experiencing difficulty in coping with some sweet-flowing attacks.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, Levein, Kirkwood, McPherson, Colquhoun, Wright, Robertson, I Ferguson, Bannon.

Substitutes -- Foster, Sandison, Mackay, Walker, D Ferguson.

DNEPR -- Gorodov, Yudin, Gerasthenko, Sidelnikov, Begenar, Kudritsky, Bagmut, Mantur, Son, Gudimenko, Shakhov.

Substitutes -- Yarovenko, Smolsnikov, Benko, Yudkov, Krakovski.

Referee -- E Halle (Norway).

Taken from the Herald