Jambos blow as Kevin stays on after Canada loss

HEARTS bosses today conceded there was no silver lining in Canada’s Gold Cup exit.

The Canadians lost on penalties to the United States in last night’s semi-final in Pasadena.

But Jambos defender Kevin McKenna, who failed with the first spot-kick of a 4-2 shoot-out loss, will stay in California for the third-place play-off.

Canada face South Korea in a largely meaningless encounter on Saturday night.

After missing the SPL defeats to Livingston and Celtic - and the shock Scottish Cup KO by Inverness Caley Thistle - McKenna will be absent again for the trip to Dunfermline.

"We’ve known from the moment Canada got into the semi-finals that Kevin was not going to be available for the Dunfermline game," said Hearts’ assistant boss Peter Houston.

"He’s not going to back now until Monday, or maybe even Tuesday.

Houston, leading the preparations for the Pars clash while boss Craig Levein views potential signings overseas, added: "By all accounts, Kevin has done well over there. He’ll be disappointed to have gone out at the semi-finals, and we’re obviously disappointed not to have him for this weekend.

"But that’s something we just have to put to the back of our minds, and concentrate on Saturday’s game."

Although McKenna will miss out, Hearts will be boosted at East End Park by the return of skipper Stephen Pressley, who had a stomach bug prior to the ICT clash, and Stephane Mahe.

"It’s a big game for both teams after disappointing results in the Scottish Cup last week," added Houston.

Last night’s Gold Cup semi was a personal disaster for McKenna, who had previously scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Haiti in Group D.

Spurs goalkeeper Kasey Keller was the hero for the United States after two hours of football failed to produce a goal.

He saved McKenna’s opening spot-kick and then, crucially, went on to deny Tam Nsaliwa.

Costa Rica had earlier knocked out South Korea, with Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope netting twice in their 3-1 win.

Taken from the Scotsman