Goss gives Hearts hope

By JIM REYNOLDS Hearts 1, Southampton 0

HEARTS had their final warm-up before Thursday's European Cup-winners' Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade in Yugoslavia, and in beating Graeme Souness's Southampton showed they are in fair shape for what will be a difficult task.

One man who certainly gives the Edinburgh side a fighting chance is Welsh internationalist Jeremy Goss, the midfielder who recently joined the club from Norwich.

He sees certain similarities between the Hearts challenge and the one which faced Norwich in the UEFA Cup three years ago.

"Nobody gave us a chance," he said.

"But we beat Arnhem, of Holland, and then became the first British side to beat Bayern Munich in the Olympic Stadium before losing out to Inter-Milan.

That was a great spell for Norwich and now the prospect of going into Europe with Hearts rekindles lovely memories.

"I know I'm not totally match fit and Jim Jefferies may leave me out, but I hope not.

There is a lot of competition for places here and I certainly don't expect to be an automatic choice.

"One of the reasons I came here was the fact that I would be involved in big games, against Rangers, Celtic, the local derby against Hibs and, of course, Europe.

The games against Red Star are the first, and I believe we can do well.

"It's a similar position to when I was at Norwich.

Nobody expects us to do anything, so we will go out relaxed and with no fear." Manager Jefferies is also confident about the Yugoslavian job.

He watched Red Star win a cup-tie last week and says: "Red Star are a big club, but they have a young side.

We may have got them early enough." Hearts looked the part on Saturday, especially in the second half.

New boys David Weir and Goss are settling in well, and Pasquale Bruno was comfortable in midfield.

With goalkeeper Gilles Rousset likely to be fit to face Red Star, the only problem would appear to be another new signing, winger Neil McCann.

"We have to be careful with him," said Jefferies.

"He needs match practice, but if we push him he could suffer strains." Hearts should have won more comfortably, but missed chances and excellent goalkeeping by veteran Dave Beasant - he saved a first half penalty from Colin Cameron - kept them out until substitute Kevin Thomas grabbed the only goal of the match ten minutes from time.

HEARTS - McKenzie, Frail, Ritchie, Weir, McPherson, Bruno, Mackay, Cameron, Colquhoun, Goss, Pointon.

Substitutes - McManus, Fulton, Robertson, Thomas, Hogarth.

SOUTHAMPTON - Beasant, Neilson, Potter, Venison, Dodd, Monkou, Le Tissier, Magilton, Shipperley, Maddison, Basham.

Substitutes - Van Meulan, Moss, Watson, Benali, Charlton, Tisdale.

Referee - I Taylor (Edinburgh).

Taken from the Herald