McLean sends the wrong signal

Ray Hepburn

19 Oct 1992

FOOTBALLERS tend to have less versatile minds than others, a trait encouraged by years of having much done for them and not having to think too much for themselves.

Their often lazy brains can be susceptible to suggestion when football hints are tossed at them, particularly in the midst of the hurly-burly.

When Jim McLean complained that his players had settled for a draw at Tynecastle on Saturday midway through the second half, he may reflect that he planted the seed himself.

After 70 minutes of a game still available to either team, the Tannadice commander withdrew former Hearts striker Scott Crabbe and introduced midfield youngster Grant Johnson.

In taking off a forward, who surely had a point to prove on his return to Tynecastle, for a less positive player McLean may have unwittingly passed a misleading signal.

The 20-year-old Johnson took a painful ankle injury six minutes into his stint, leaving defender David Narey as the final option, and United certainly paid the price for their caution when Graeme Hogg headed the winner for Hearts in 82 minutes, and his joy reflected the fact that it was his first goal for eight months.

The Tayside team's barren day was certainly not the responsibility of Paddy Connolly, whose dash on the left wing made a lasting impression on an influential observer.

Graeme Souness made the detour from paying tribute to Willie Waddell on Friday to Old Trafford yesterday via Tynecastle to keep abreast of Duncan Ferguson's progress.

He has been meticulous in his interest in the 20-year-old striker, temporarily discarded at the weekend by Andy Roxburgh, since he moved to Anfield from Rangers.

As he made a hurried exit minutes before full-time, fellow guests in the directors' box were struck by the way he frequently enthused over Connolly's performance.

That McLean should have reared two players worthy of such scrutiny, and there are others, is testimony to his talent, but his team still lacks a clinical element.

As the match wore on it was Hearts who were the more aggressive as they finished the afternoon in the same adventurous spirit that had been their mood at the start.

John Robertson had seen a certain scoring shot blocked by Freddy van der Hoorn seconds before Hogg stooped to head Craig Levein's cross past Alan Main.

Note that two central defenders were in United's box to help claim a victory that sent the home lot home thirsting for Wednesday's UEFA Cup tie against Standard Liege.

Chairman Wallace Mercer wore a smile.

Taken from the Herald