Two-goal Foster's singular view

RAY HEPBURN

26 Oct 1990

WITH all the realism of a true Lancashire lad, Hearts striker Wayne Foster yesterday shed the hero's mantle thrust on him by Wednesday evening's 3-1 victory over Bologna.

For a player astonishingly freed by Preston North End four years ago, he has no difficulty in keeping his feet firmly on the ground, despite the praise rightfully bestowed on him after two fine goals in the UEFA Cup tie.

He quickly acknowledged that the competition for places in the Hearts attack is so fierce that he may not get the opportunity to finish the job in Italy two weeks hence.

"John Robertson and Scott Crabbe are both likely to be fit by that time and, with Iain Ferguson and John Colquhoun playing regularly, someone will have to be disappointed," he reflected.

"When you get your chance at Tynecastle you have to grab it, for it can be a long time before it comes your way again.

The two goals, therefore, were very welcome.

"I think we can do it in the second leg, although the goal we conceded in the second half leaves a nagging worry.

"

The 27-year-old was joined by Ferguson among the goals in an exhilarating performance that reminded the Hearts supporters of the march to the quarter-final stage of the same competition two years ago.

And with Robertson perhaps back as another option, possibly to Foster's discomfort, for the second leg, the Edinburgh team are entitled to be optimistic about their third-round prospects, particularly when Bologna officials were coming to terms last night with the fact that four of their players are suspended for the return match.

Herbert Waas has to pay for his sending off, of course, but goalkeeper Nello Cusin, skipper Rinato Villa and defender Pier Luigi Di Gia have all collected two cautions.

Taken from the Herald