Happy Hearts accept a gift

DOUGLAS CAMPBELL

4 Nov 1996

Hearts2 Dunfermline0 THE brows were deeply furrowed, the scrutiny intense, but those interested will be well aware that errors in judgment can be very costly when dealing with the fixed odds, and such matters must be given one's undivided attention.

Such was the case in the environs of Tynecastle on Saturday.

There may have been ages to go before Hearts were called upon to do the business against Dunfermline, but as the crowds thickened and the sun shone on Gorgie Road, it was make-your-mind-up time for two supporters bedecked almost from head to toe in maroon and white.

Opinions differed greatly, and about the only thing they appeared to agree on was that the "Jambos would do this mob".

They communicate slowly and with a strange twang east of Harthill, but if "do" means play well enough to edge past the men from the Kingdom, then at around 4.45pm our two pals were off and running.

As for the rest of their coupon, well, alas, the word "banker" and "Rangers" were uttered.

It is not that Hearts gave their followers a trouble-free afternoon.

After David Weir and Colin Cameron had scored the game's goals, the Jam Tarts had to circumnavigate several distinctly sticky patches before we all had had enough excitement for one day.

The fun and games started in 26 minutes when the Dunfermline keeper, a gentleman from Montenegro by the name of Zoran Lemajic, looked a little less than magic in dealing with a cross from his right.

The ball bounced in front of the keeper while he appeared just to stare at it, and Weir must have thought it was his birthday as he helped himself, claiming later that "it was the simplest goal I've ever scored".

However, if Bert Paton, the Dunfermline manager, instills nothing else in his employees, they are aware that they must gallop until they drop and, especially in the second period, Dunfermline came mightily close on several occasions to upsetting their hosts.

Jim Jefferies slipped into the press room at the old stadium and, with the rest of us, gaped at the new premier division table on a television screen.

The big fellow liked what he saw, his side having overtaken two clubs on their way to fourth position.

One of these clubs was Hibernian.

"It was important to get that win," said the Hearts manager, "especially in such windy conditions.

We stressed that we must not slip up and that success would take us right up the table, so I'm happy." Jefferies was content that several of his better-known workers soon will be back in contention for a first-team place.

The only man apparently still giving a little concern is Stefano Salvatori, although "he should make the Coca-Cola Cup final," said the manager.

The injured player has returned to his native Italy for the first time since signing, which could be a blessing to all concerned with Hearts.

"He has been wearing the same jeans for the past six weeks," said Jefferies with a smile.

"So maybe it is just as well he has gone home for a while." Meanwhile, our two punting pals, having been let down by the champions, possibly consoled themselves with a few scoops of the amber throat charmer, and with their team in apparently reasonable shape to face Hibs in the next home league game of the season, perhaps the world is not such a bad place after all.

Next league games: Hearts - Motherwell (a); Dunfermline - Raith Rovers (a).

Taken from the Herald