Colquhoun: Hearts win would help Scotland

From the archive
Share

25 Nov 1997

Former Hearts player John Colquhoun predicts that if the Edinburgh side can break Rangers' nine-year grip on the title it will transform the Scottish game's image throughout Europe.

Colquhoun, part of the 1986 side who were famously denied the championship on the last day of the season by losing to Dundee, is optimistic the current team can provide a silver lining to more than 30 years without a trophy.

Following yesterday's stunning 5-3 win against Kilmarnock at Tynecastle, highlighted by a Stephane Adam hat trick, Hearts have now moved into a four-point lead in the table.

Colquhoun believes the team has a lot more impressive football to offer.

''Hearts have been magnificent so far and it would be great for the Scottish game's image in Europe for someone else to be seen to win the league.

''It will be difficult for Hearts to achieve that, but they're doing nothing wrong at the moment and it's hard to challenge their potential just now.'' For Colquhoun, credit for that position of strength must go to manager Jim Jefferies, whose astute buying has forged a blend of home-grown and foreign talent which promises much.

He added: ''Jim Jefferies has introduced young players from other Scottish clubs as well as using the Bosman ruling well and there is a great balance to the side.'' However, Colquhoun, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, admits the fact that the club last won the title in 1960 illustrates the magnitude of the task ahead.

He added: ''Hearts came so close to the double in 1986 and the pain of missing out has stayed with the fans and the players involved.

''I think the '86 side and the current team share a spirit of togetherness, but they're having to lead from the front and that's tough.

''So far they have answered the questions asked of them, except against the Old Firm losing to both Rangers and Celtic this season.

''The real test will be when they play the Old Firm in consecutive matches next month.'' Hearts manager Jefferies rarely singles out players for praise but made an exception for Stephane Adam after the Frenchman scored three and created another during the victory over Kilmarnock.

''Stephane was top quality and it was as good a hat trick as you will see anywhere,'' said Jefferies.

''What I admire most is his intelligence and he's been a big part of the success we're having.'' q Hearts defender Dave McPherson is hopeful of taking another major step towards a first-team comeback by playing in a Reserve League Cup-tie against Stirling Albion tomorrow night.

McPherson, who has been out of competitive football all season, has been involved in only a couple of days' full training but has been running for three-and-a-half weeks.

Taken from the Herald