Strikers display shape of things to come

RAY HEPBURN

24 Dec 1990

AT a time when future resolutions will be in vogue for a few days at least, it was encouraging to see signs of better things for the future, all over the Tynecastle pitch on Saturday.

Hearts would take most pleasure from seeing John Robertson and Scott Crabbe reunited in their forward line, after injury and illness have completely wrecked the first half of the season for both.

Last season they scored 39 goals between them and the figure of eight this winter, is itself evidence of the miserable time they have had.

Crabbe's absence has been easier to plot for he was the last lingering victim of the post-match food poisoning at Pittodrie on September 4.

Robertson, however, has played through most of his problems, which have been in the shape of assorted knocks and strains.

There was rustiness on Saturday, but also sure signs that the old telepathy between them, still functions.

In midfield, too, there were reasons for Joe Jordan to smile.

Derek Ferguson is recapturing his best Rangers form, and Gary Mackay's first goal of the season, lifted a load from his willing shoulders.

Even in narrow defeat, there is good reason why Motherwell manager Tommy McLean should glimpse into 1991 with a fair degree of optimism.

He is slowly welcoming back his injured regulars -- Steve Kirk is still absent -- and Saturday's team contained a quality that many clubs would treasure.

Craig Paterson, Chris McCart, and Tom Boyd were accomplished defenders.

In midfield the strength of Colin O'Neill was complemented by the touch of Bobby Russell, Jim Griffin, and Davie Cooper.

Up front, like Hearts, McLean had a slip of a striker who relished the unpredictable, sometimes treacherous conditions.

Doug Arnott advertised his talents with two goals to sit on eight for the season.

Jordan was unhappy with the goals Hearts lost, presumably, not only because the Motherwell player was free in the six-yard box on each occasion, but also that Paterson was able to send in telling headers to create the chances.

McLean described the winning Robertson penalty goal as a "joke" and it did seem strange that George Burley should impede John Colquhoun, with Robertson and Crabbe the chief threats.

Although both managers will have more to say on the subject during the course of the week, the respective defenders will surely advance the conditions, in plea of mitigation.

Hearts had Dave McPherson's first domestic goal of the season preceding the Mackay and Robertson strikes, and the 3-2 scoreline just reflected a slender superiority for the Edinburgh team.

Jordan is just now seeing his side moving steadily in the right direction, and for McLean there is the reflection that Motherwell have already journeyed far under his prudent guidance.

Taken from the Herald