Tempers flare at Tynecastle Outspoken striker Adam criticises Celtic for fielding 'a reserve line-up' against Hearts' Euro-rivals Kilmarnock

Rob Robertson at Tynecastle

21 May 2001

Hearts 2 Dundee 0 Scorers: Hearts - Adam (52), Cameron (70)

A season which could have easily ended in turmoil came so close to ending in European success for Hearts.

Indeed, the fact they came so near to clinching the UEFA Cup place, instead of Kilmarnock after a season in which they lost such an iconic figure as Jim Jefferies, caused bitterness for some Hearts players.

The most outspoken was Stephane Adam, the French striker, who went to great lengths to criticise Celtic for going into their game against the Rugby Park side yesterday without nine of their usual first-team players.

Adam claimed the Parkhead club had shown a lack of respect by their actions and first made his comments on local radio.

Ten minutes after that he shouted up, unsolicited, from the touchline to the press box to ask waiting journalists to make his feelings known.

''I have never seen anything like this and very disappointed with Celtic's attitude,'' said Adam.

''It is the last game of the season and to put out a reserve side, when others are trying to qualify for Europe, shows an absolute lack of respect.'' Clearly Adam hadn't been caught in time by Hearts officials which, although privately angry at Celtic's decision to rest some players, were diplomatic at the final whistle.

Craig Levein, the Hearts coach, said he could understand Martin O'Neill's decision to rest some key players.

''If I had a cup final coming up as my next game I might have done the same as Martin,'' said Levein.

''You have to protect your own players.'' Colin Cameron, the club captain, also put on his public relations hat and made it clear he felt Kilmarnock were worthy of their place in Europe.

He also claimed there was no bitterness in the Hearts dressing room over Celtic's action, something which Adam's comments showed to be not the case.

Neither Doug Smith, the Hearts chairman, or Chris Robinson, the chief executive, would be drawn into the row.

Despite the furore at the final whistle, even getting close to Europe has been a great achievement for Hearts.

It was only back in November that Jefferies left the club, which led to protests against Chris Robinson and thousands of angry supporters gathering outside the ground.

However, such scenes were distant memories yesterday, as Craig Levein's side were given a standing ovation from their supporters after just failing to pip Kilmarnock for fourth place in the league, and the UEFA Cup spot that would bring.

Joining the team on the pitch at the end was Gilles Rousset, the Hearts goalkeeper who left the club yesterday after six years, while Stevie Fulton, who has been put on the transfer list, did his own lap of honour suggesting he doesn't expect to be here next season.

As it turned out, it took two second-half goals from Adam and Cameron to win the game, although that counted for nothing when the news came through that Kilmarnock had beaten Celtic.

On the more positive side for Hearts, Levein revealed he hoped to sign Kevin McKenna, who is currently on loan from Energie Cottbus, on a long-term deal early next week and hopes there would also be a few other new faces at Tynecastle next season.

As for the game itself, Hearts had a great chance in only eight minutes when Kevin McKenna missed an easy back post header and his ineptitude in front of goal was matched, from a Hearts point of view, by Adam, when the Frenchman shot weakly off the legs of Jamie Langfield, the Dundee goalkeeper, from only six yards.

Indeed, Hearts were unlucky not to get a penalty on the stroke of half-time, when Mark Robertson handled Cameron's shot in the box, an offence John Rowbotham didn't seem to see.

Five minutes after the re-start, the home side should have sealed the win but, instead, Andy Kirk's right foot shot from close in was turned away for a corner by Jamie Langfield.

Luckily for the striker the resultant corner from Steven Boyack led to Hearts taking the lead in what was a scrappy opening goal.

The Hearts' midfielder played the ball in deep and, in a free-for-all within the six yard box, Adam bundled the ball in from close range.

That could have been the signal for Dundee to simply cave in but Ivano Bonetti's side did try to get at least a draw from the game, but any such thoughts they had were extinguished with twenty minutes left.

Six Hearts players were involved in a move which was started and finished by Cameron, who ended up cracking home a magnificent volley from 12 yards out, which won all three points for the home side.

Taken from the Herald