Levein takes the positives out of loss to Hamilton

MARK BONTHRONE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein today insisted that last night’s friendly with Hamilton had been a "useful exercise" despite seeing a strong side slump to a 4-2 defeat at New Douglas Park.

The Jambos fielded nine recognised first squad players but their Second Division opponents always looked the hungrier team and deservedly ran out on top.

Tepi Moilanen made his first start since signing a two-year deal at Tynecastle and could not be faulted for any of the Accies’ goals while Dennis Wyness endured a frustrating first run out as he received little service.

The opening goal came ten minutes before the interval when former Livingston player Brian McPhee crossed from the right, Stevie Convery cleverly stepped over the ball, and recent signing from Linlithgow Rose Mark Corcoran buried his shot from 12 yards.

The visitors were quickly back in the contest, however, when Joe Hamill stole in at the back post to side-foot home a Steven Boyack cross from just a couple of yards out.

With 20 minutes of the tie remaining, Accies re-established their advantage when Convery sent a fantastic looping header into the top corner of the net from fully 16 yards.

Convery added a third goal for the home side seven minutes later after being played in by a quick free-kick. The match was effectively over when Gary Wales and Boyack combined well for the latter to tap in and the Tynecastle side’s evening was complete when the unfortunate David Dun, who partnered Andy Webster in defence, turned a cross beyond Moilanen right at the death.

Levein, however, felt that there were positives to be taken out of the game. "We worked hard throughout the game and I though it was a useful exercise," said the Hearts boss.

"It was a competitive game and that’s what we need because we are going into a very competitive season.

"We lost stupid goals but at this stage it’s really all just about fitness. We don’t want to lose, of course, but at the moment getting the fitness up is the main thing. It will be the same when we go to Northern Ireland and after that we will concentrate a bit more on the quality we are producing."

Levin also declared himself satisfied with new signing Wyness who played the full 90 minutes of the game.

He said: "Dennis had a few opportunities that he maybe could have done better with but overall he did OK."

Hearts: Moilanen, Maybury, McCann, Simmons (McGeown 53), Dunn, Webster, Boyack, Wyness, Wales, Severin, Hamill.

Subs not used: Knox, Fox, King, Windrum

Taken from the Scotsman