Hearts' new ball game

RAY HEPBURN

14 Aug 1995

HEARTS will go back to their roots to end recent flirtations with relegation. Manager Jim Jefferies has reintroduced club tradition to Tynecastle, and John Colquhoun insists Saturday's 5-1 victory over Manchester City was just the start.

''To have a manager with his roots at the club unites the fans,'' said Colquhoun, ''and we have found that filtering through on to the pitch.''

Colquhoun scored twice with Allan Johnstone, Brian Hamilton, and David Hagen claiming a goal each, while Nick Summerbee scored for City.

At Easter Road, Hibs had six players missing yet still managed to defeat Ray Wilkins' Queen's Park Rangers 2-1, with a handful of young players involved.

Chris Reid, Chris Jackson, and Graeme Donald played from the start and three others made appearances from the bench in the second half.

''We have another generation of players available, and this result indicates a squad of depth and quality is ready for the new season,'' said skipper Gordon Hunter.

The Londoners' Danny Dichio scored first, but Pat McGinlay struck twice after the interval.

* MOTHERWELL were still suffering form a European hangover when they lost 4-1 to Bryan Robson's Middlesbrough at Fir Park.

The English side, with former Celtic players Chris Morris and Derek Whyte, plus #5m signing Nick Barmby in their line-up, cruised through the second half, with a Craig Hignett hat trick securing victory.

Robbie Mustoe gave the English Premiership newcomers the lead, but just after the break, Tommy Coyne equalised with a penalty. It was Motherwell's only moment of joy in a performance which had manager McLeish keeping his players locked in the dressing room for more than an hour after the match.

Bolton, another new side to the Premiership, also celebrated a victory, beating Kilmarnock 2-1 at Rugby Park.

Former Dundee United and Aberdeen striker Mixu Paatelainen gave Bolton the lead after just seven minutes, and Fabnian De Freitas added a second before half-time. John Henry pulled one back for Killie after the interval.

Taken from the Herald