Bad day for Tierney

RAY HEPBURN

6 Sep 1993

THE erratic nature of this season's results has led to successful raids on the bookmakers' satchels.

But do not ask Grant Tierney for any assistance.

No matter how treacherous your fortune might be, the Partick Thistle defender has clearly irked Lady Luck something terrible, judged by Saturday's evidence at Tynecastle.

After 38 minutes he found his body unwillingly interfering to send a Justin Fashanu cross spinning behind his own keeper, Craig Nelson, for Hearts' second goal.

Referee Jim Herald also spotted Grant's penchant for ill luck when the Firhill player became the game's only booking, after a hefty challenge on Tosh McKinlay two minutes from half-time.

Worse was to follow when he brutally butted Fashanu's elbow with his nose and the Hearts striker was sent off.

Tierney, after prolonged efforts to restore full awareness, finally gave the afternoon up, clearly dazed.

Trouble was that several of his team-mates didn't seem all that sure either, in a game when only Fashanu's foolishness offered Partick the chance to take something from their labours.

By the time Hearts were reduced to 10 men, they had established a two-goal lead and a confidence that threatened to see Nelson beaten several times more.

Craig Levein's close-in header was followed by Tierney's own goal, before Gerry Britton took advantage of brief post-red card uncertainty in the home defence to produce a contest again.

However, even a man short, Hearts regained their authority.

Levein was an outstanding organiser, John Colquhoun a willing raider up front, and 18-year-old full back Gary Locke was an absolute pleasure to watch.

This young talent's call-up for Scotland's Under-21 team to meet Switzerland tomorrow night is long overdue.

Defender Graeme Hogg couldn't believe his luck in the final minute when his header smacked the bar.

Still, he looked like a pools-winner compared with Tierney.

Taken from the Herald