Hartley makes a mark for the Jambos

PAUL KIDDIE AT HAMPDEN

RECENT signing Paul Hartley smashed his first goal for Hearts as the Jambos warmed up for the new season with a 2-1 victory over Queen’s Park at Hampden.

Starting the friendly on the right-hand side of midfield, the former Hibs and St Johnstone star did more than enough at the National Stadium last night to suggest he will be a valuable addition to Craig Levein’s squad.

And it didn’t take the recent arrival long to make his mark, Hartley firing his side ahead with just eight minutes on the clock.

Spiders keeper Derek Scrimgeour handled a backpass and after the indirect free-kick was rolled into the path of the midfielder, he sent an unstoppable shot flashing through the defensive wall into the back of the net.

The advantage didn’t last long, though, veteran striker Ally Graham curling a free-kick beyond Craig Gordon just five minutes later.

Young midfielder Neil Janczyk was prominent in the opening exchanges with some neat touches and he combined well with Robbie Neilson to set up Mark de Vries with 21 minutes on the clock, the Dutchman just failing to make contact with a header inside the six-yard box.

Andy Kirk then came close to restoring his side’s lead when he latched onto a long through ball from Neilson, the striker denied by a fingertip save from Scrimgeour as he attempted to lob the ball home from the edge of the area.

As the visitors enjoyed the bulk of possession skipper Steven Pressley carved out an opening for Robert Sloan, only for the winger to be crowded out at the last moment as he steadied himself for a shot.

De Vries then sent a hook shot over the top after a decent delivery from Hartley as Hearts continued to press. With new signing Patrick Kisnorbo lining up alongside Pressley in the centre of the Jambos defence, Hearts looked pretty solid at the back, although there were understandable signs of rustiness after the summer break.

Moments after the interval Kirk had a great chance after Neil MacFarlane’s flick-on from Hartley’s corner, the Northern Ireland star unable to direct his close-range header on goal.

Pressley was then denied a goal as substitute keeper McGovern saved well at his near post from the Jambos captain’s header.

Hartley was clearly enjoying his debut for the Tynecastle side on the vast Hampden pitch and he played a neat 1-2 with De Vries only to see McGovern produce a fine save diving full-length to his left to prevent the new man adding to his tally.

McGovern then had another good stop to deny Sloan ten minutes from the end as the match looked like drifting to a draw.

However, a feature of the last campaign which saw the Jambos storm into Europe was the number of goals Levein’s side snatched in the closing stages of matches.

And the Gorgie outfit came up with the goods again at the death, substitute Mathu King pouncing with almost the last kick of the ball to seal a 2-1 victory.

The youngster, a prolific scorer for the Under-18s last season, timed his run to perfection to latch on to Sloan’s through ball and steer the ball past the helpless McGovern.

It was the kind of work out in a match situation which Hearts needed after a week-and-a-half of pre-season training and Levein was satisfied with the endeavour from his players.

"Queen’s Park were fit and the size of the pitch helped that side of things, too," he said. "I thought the boys worked very hard and I can’t complain. They tried to do the right things although they looked a bit rusty at times. There were encouraging signs and I was pleased with the new boys.

"Kisnorbo defended well while Hartley showed in long spells that he’ll be a huge asset for us. We want to play attractive football and entertain and Paul does that."

And he was pleased to see King continue the rich vein of form in showed in the youths last season.

"Mathu King was banging in the goals for the Under-18s and finsihed the season quite strongly," he said. "We gave him a year’s contract and I was pleased for him that he scored last night."

The night ended in agony for home star Tony Quinn, though, the Queen’s ace being stretchered off after just 30 seconds with a suspected broken ankle in what was his first game back after six months out with the same injury.

HEARTS: Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Kisnorbo, McMullan, Hartley, MacFarlane, Janczyk, Sloan, De Vries (King, 80), Kirk (Weir, 80). Subs not used: Windrum, Knox, Fox, McGeown.

Taken from the Scotsman