New boy Preston gives Hearts a big lift

JIM REYNOLDS

2 Nov 1992

IT is normal for a footballer's legs to be tired after a match, especially in the premier division which demands more than most other leagues in Europe.

But Alan Preston's arms must have been aching more than his "pins" after Hearts' 1-0 win over Dundee at Tynecastle on Saturday.

It took Joe Jordan's men more than an hour to realise they had a winger on the field and when they did the game plan turned into simplicity -- push the ball wide to the left, let a winger do what he is paid to do and everything falls into place.

Hearts spent most of the afternoon trying to play balls through the middle of a Dundee defence in which veteran Jim Duffy was in total control.

In the meantime, Preston, recently signed from Dundee United, was an isolated figure out on the touchline, constantly waving his hands to let his new colleagues know he was there.

But when he did get into the match he proved to be the difference between two points and one.

Suddenly dangerous crosses were flashing past the Dundee defence and it was no surprise when one of them paid a rich dividend in 73 minutes.

Preston sent another tempting ball into the box, substitute Ian Ferguson knocked it back across goal and Ian Baird scored with a header from close in.

It was no more than Hearts deserved.

They had always been the more positive side but were forced into long range shooting which did not cause much anxiety for Paul Mathers in the Dundee goal.

It was the eventual recognition that Preston was one of them that clinched victory and gave the Tynecastle side the boost they need for Wednesday night's UEFA Cup tie against Standard Liege in Belgium.

Afterwards Hearts' manager Joe Jordan said: "There is no point in playing with a winger if you don't give him the ball.

We did that later on and Alan Preston's contribution was very pleasing."

All Dundee's better players were to be found nearer their own goal line, even Dusan Vrto, the tall Czech who was sent off just before half-time for a second clumsy tackle on John Robertson.

Until then he had formed a solid partnership with Duffy in central defence.

Dundee had little to offer in attack although little Billy Dodds was impressive.

Even when manager Simon Stainrod came on near the end to make only his second appearance of the season the Hearts back four were not unduly troubled.

If one is to accept that Rangers are trotting away with the championship then there is an interesting chase developing behind them with six teams in contention and Hearts, who have the best defensive record in the country, are one of them.

Taken from the Herald