McLean wants his men to take things easier

RAY HEPBURN

18 Oct 1994

HEARTS manager Tommy McLean last night asked his players to take the speed out of their game and get things right.

The Edinburgh club's leader was reflecting more on their match with Celtic on Saturday, than the inspirational 1-0 victory.

And he hopes to persuade his playing staff to find a rhythm, that will begin a change of heart in the Scottish game.

"Saturday's performance produced a tremendous result and I was particularly delighted for the supporters who have stood by us so loyally," explained McLean.

"But for me the match was spoiled by having good players on both sides playing the match far too quickly.

"It is criminal having men of quality like Jim Bett, John Collins, Gary Mackay, and Paul McStay on the pitch, producing so many misplaced passes.

"These players, and others, all have the ability to make the game more attractive with their skill, but we have introduced too much pace into the premier division.

"My view always has been that when things are going wrong the first option is to slow everything down, and go back to the basics.

"But in Scotland we tend to opt for the opposite and quicken the pace of the play, which inevitably introduces errors.

"I see this as a fundamental change that we must all make in the domestic game, if we are to compete again on favourable terms against European opponents."

The victory lifted Hearts into the top half of the table for the first time this season and was their fourth win in five games.

But Scott Leitch suffered an injury to a shoulder joint while Mackay, Tosh McKinlay, John Millar, and John Colquhoun all suffered knocks.

Taken from the Herald