Craig's gamble with hearts at Firhill comes up trumps

PAUL KIDDIE

FOLLOWING his side’s 5-0 thrashing from Celtic at Parkhead, Hearts boss Craig Levein had promised to wield the axe in uncompromising fashion in a bid to return to winning ways.

And, true to his word, the Gorgie chief made no fewer than five changes to his starting line-up for the trip to Firhill to face basement outfit Partick Thistle.

Out went goalkeeper Tepi Moilanen after a couple of less than impressive displays between the posts, the Finn being joined on the sidelines by Alan Maybury, Andy Webster, Phil Stamp and Graham Weir.

In came Scotland under-21 stopper Craig Gordon, Kevin McKenna, Robbie Neilson, Andy Kirk and Paul Hartley. It was a bold move by the Hearts boss and considering the circumstances it could be considered a major gamble.

Three of the newcomers - Gordon, McKenna and Kirk - were all making their first starts of the season at a ground where the Jambos had failed to win last term. They were also up against a team fighting for their SPL survival, the Jags desperate to record their first win of the campaign.

The Tynecastle side had gone into the game having failed to win in the league since defeating Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in September and Levein had decided on the high-risk strategy of ditching almost half his regular side to get his campaign back on track.

It was a decision, though, which paid handsome dividends with the points all but wrapped up within half an hour of the kick-off. Levein had been looking for a response to the mauling his players had suffered at Parkhead, and he would have been delighted with the manner in which his men took a stranglehold on the game almost immediately.

From the opening exchanges it became apparent that the towering Mark de Vries was going to a be real problem for former Tynecastle star Grant Murray in the Jags defence and the Dutchman was instrumental in setting up Kirk for the first of his brace on his return to the starting XI. From Gordon’s goal-kick De Vries headed on into the path of the Northern Ireland front man and the 24-year-old wasted little time in dispatching a crisp shot behind Kenny Arthur with 13 minutes on the clock.

Thirteen minutes later and the visitors’ advantage was doubled after the best move of the game. Scott Severin picked out Neil MacFarlane in midfield who played a fine ball into the path of Hartley down the left.

The former Hibs player looked up and spotted De Vries racing into the box on the far side, the Dutch striker showing superb composure and technique to send a low volley back across Arthur and into the right-hand corner of the Thistle net.

It was a dream start for Hearts and things got even better four minutes later, Hartley picking out McKenna at a corner and Kirk reacting faster than anyone to nod the Canadian’s header past Arthur from close range.

The striker has been desperate to prove his worth this season but has found it difficult to dislodge Dennis Wyness and Weir from the side. He made his point to his manager in the perfect manner, though, at the weekend and should have done enough to merit the run in the team he has been craving.

Three goals up and cruising with 30 minutes on the clock - a fact which certainly put paid to any fears the Gorgie faithful may have had that the law of averages suggested the Jags would end their winless streak at their expense.

It wasn’t surprising that Hearts didn’t continue to dominate to the same extent after the break, Gerry Collins no doubt having given his men a real tongue-lashing during the interval.

However, had De Vries made the most of a great chance two minutes after the restart when he failed to connect properly when put through at the near post by the again impressive Patrick Kisnorbo, then the winning margin could well have been more comprehensive.

As it was, substitute Ricky Waddell breathed some life into the hosts with a superb 63rd-minute rocket from 25 yards which gave Gordon no chance, but any thoughts of a stirring fightback were dashed with 16 minutes remaining.

Neilson took a quick throw-in to Kirk down the right, the striker used his pace to cut inside the area and clipped a clever ball into the path of sub Stephen Simmons who stabbed it home.

Hearts were never in danger of losing the match after their whirlwind opening but in truth they secured the points without approaching their best form against a hugely disappointing Thistle side who, even this early in the season, look certainties for the drop.

"I was pleased with the result and the effort shown by the players," said Levein. "One of the criticisms of last week against Celtic was that we didn’t apply ourselves as well as we had done and as a result we underperformed. But there is no doubt we made up for that against Partick."

Levein admitted to taking a risk with his team selection but was delighted his alterations brought the desired effect. "I felt we had to win to justify so many changes," he said. "You always take a chance leaving so many out, particularly so many recognised starters.

"I did take a gamble but I had to put my faith in the guys who had waited patiently for their opportunity and they didn’t do themselves any harm whatsoever on Saturday. The half-time break came when we were well on top and Partick took the chance to regroup and then came out very positively and caught us on our heels a little bit.

"We lost a goal and it could have been a turning point but it wasn’t. We dug in and while I didn’t feel we were particularly threatened it was good to get the fourth goal to close the match out."

The Gorgie outfit now must turn their attentions to the CIS Cup and the visit of Falkirk on Wednesday, a clash which the Jambos can now look forward to with confidence.

"We did well at Firhill without being spectacularly good," said Levein. "And it was a good enough performance to give us a lift before the Falkirk cup-tie."

Taken from the Scotsman