Don't rule out Motherwell.

Hearts hit man makes a point for his rivals

JIM REYNOLDS

7 Feb 1994

JOHN Robertson scored the goal that put a bit of a limp on Motherwell's attempted march to the top of the premier division table, but immediately after the 1-1 draw at Fir Park, the little striker warned that anyone who counted out Tommy McLean's men as potential champions could be made to look rather foolish.

Motherwell took a long time to get used to the fact that their two influential midfield players, Phil O'Donnell and Paul Lambert, were on the sidelines because of injury -- it forced McLean to reshuffle both his "engine room" and the back four -- but when they did get into their stride, they impressed, as they have been doing for most of the season.

Robertson, who missed a working trip to Spain with the rest of his colleagues last week because his wife had their third child, took advantage of Motherwell's tentative start.

In just five minutes, Miodrag Krivokapic hesitated on the ball and was robbed by Tosh McKinlay on the edge of the box, and when the full back's cross flew to the near post, Robertson stuck out a foot and cleverly steered the ball high past Seb Dykstra.

Right on the stroke of half time, Motherwell grabbed the equaliser following a corner, when Wayne Foster, attempting to clear, headed the ball against Alan McLaren and it finished up behind an astonished Henry Smith.

The best of the Fir Park men, however, came in the second half when they dominated for long spells and they had some fine individual performances, none more so than from Brian Martin, an unsung hero who never seems to play even a mediocre match.

But if Motherwell were the more impressive, Hearts, throughout the match, showed a great appetite for a fight and, in their precarious position, that can only be good news for the Tynecastle fans.

Said Robertson: "Hearts really battled today -- I thought both defences were magnificent -- and that's what we have to do in our current situation.

"It's a very even league this season and there is not a lot between those down near the bottom and those at the top.

At some stages, everyone has been talking about Rangers, Aberdeen, Celtic and Hibs for the championship, but don't count out Motherwell.

They are a big, strong team and so very hard to beat."

Motherwell manager Tommy McLean, who spent most of last season watching his side battle to beat relegation, said: "The changes we had to make unsettled us early on and we lost a crazy goal.

It was only when Ian Angus came on that we managed to get people forward from the midfield, and in the second half we had enough chances to win the game -- Brian Martin, Tommy Coyne, Steve Kirk and Dougie Arnott could all have scored, but it just wasn't to be.

"Last week we were fortunate to win against Celtic in the cup.

This week we were unfortunate not to win.

It's swings and roundabouts in this game."

Hearts best spell came in the opening 20 minutes when they played with a bit of conviction.

They got themselves forward with lots of industry in the midfield, McKinlay galloping up the left flank to sling over a series of dangerous crosses, apart from the one which produced Robertson's goal.

And until they lost that bizarre goal, the defence seldom looked in any kind of trouble.

The return of Craig Levein has been significant in their recent run.

Playing alongside Alan McLaren, he forms an impressive partnership and Neil Berry, too, has given the defence a very solid look.

Berry was again outstanding, but spoiled his performance by getting himself sent off near the end.

Earlier he had been booked, and when he brought down Paul McGrillen, when the Motherwell substitute got his first touch of the ball, referee Hugh Dallas immediately called him over and showed him the red card.

Said Hearts manager Sandy Clark: "Berry was outstanding and was unfortunate not to finish the game.

I thought we thoroughly deserved a point, although Motherwell did put us under a bit of pressure near the end.

We've got a bit of spirit and commitment and we must keep that going."

Motherwell can move level on points with Rangers if they beat St Johnstone tomorrow in the rearranged match in Perth but McLean has problems.

O'Donnell and Lambert are still doubtful along with Jim Griffin, who looked forward to getting his career going again after a long lay off only to be injured in a reserve match last week.

McLean will also have to take a close look at goalkeeper Seb Dykstra.

He played against Hearts with a back injury and could have aggravated it.