Kirk joins list of Hearts heroes after 7000th strike

PAUL KIDDIE

ANDY KIRK blasted his way into the Hearts history books when he netted the opener against Rangers at Ibrox, the front man’s early strike proving to be the Jambos’ 7000th league goal.

It was a moment to remember for the Northern Ireland internationalist, although his 11th-minute effort ultimately proved fruitless as Alex McLeish’s side hit back with goals from Shota Arveladze and Chris Burke to dash any hopes the visitors had of registering their first win over the Glasgow giants for more than five years.

"I didn’t know we were so close to the landmark until I read about it in the papers going through to the game on the Saturday," he said.

"It was nice to hit the club’s 7000th league goal but it was also good for me on a personal level as it’s another one added to my tally for Hearts.

"As a striker I am judged on the goals that I score for the club and I want to get as many as I can for Hearts.

"It was an added bonus, though, that Saturday’s effort was our 7000th league goal."

The milestone saw the former Glentoran man join former stars such as Jimmy Bone, Bobby Walker and Jimmy Wardhaugh in grabbing landmark goals for the Gorgie outfit.

Hearts’ first league goal, coincidentally against Rangers at Ibrox, was netted by Isaac Begbie in a 5-2 defeat in Glasgow in 1890.

Walker slotted the Jambos’ 1000th league strike when he scored against Airdrie at Tynecastle on November 19, 1910.

The 2000th arrived just over 16 years later when David Edgar got his name on the scoresheet at home to Motherwell on February 5, 1927.

Stark’s Park was then the scene of Hearts’ 3000th league goal when Tommy Brown netted against Raith Rovers in Kirkcaldy on November 26, 1938.

Legendary forward Wardhaugh carved himself a little piece of history when he grabbed the club’s 4000th goal in a 3-1 win over Aberdeen at Tynecastle on March 7, 1953.

And then almost 12 years to the day, Danny Ferguson scored the Jambos’ 5000th when he found the back of the net in a 3-2 win over Greenock Morton at Cappielow on March 10, 1965.

Jimmy Bone was the Gorgie star who slammed the 6000th league goal, his effort on December 15, 1984 coming in a 5-2 defeat by Dundee United at Tannadice.

Kirk was understandably delighted with his landmark goal, although he was left disappointed that it didn’t help spur the Gorgie outfit on to glory.

"I want to get as many as I can for Hearts" Andy Kirk

For most observers, Saturday represented an opportunity missed by Hearts, who produced their best display for years at Ibrox only to head back along the M8 empty-handed.

Much had been made of the personnel which McLeish was missing at the weekend but Levein, too, had his selection plans hit by injury and suspension.

It was therefore to Hearts’ credit they produced such a spirited performance in taking the game to their hosts, Kirk’s early effort helping to give the visitors the dream start they had been craving.

It was not to be, though, with the sense of frustration in the visitors’ ranks still in evidence after their winless streak against the SPL champions was stretched to 23 games.

"My goal gave us just the start we had wanted and to be honest it is the best we have played against Rangers for a wee while," said Kirk.

"We worked hard, created a number of chances and it was hard not to take anything from the game after everything we put into the match.

"We had a number of important players missing at the weekend but things just didn’t go for us in front of goal."

The setback was Hearts’ fifth defeat in six matches - the win over Kilmarnock the only bright spot in a disappointing spell - and Kirk appreciates the importance of returning to winning ways against Motherwell in front of the BBC cameras at lunchtime on Saturday.

The Steelmen were unfortunate not to take anything from their joust with Celtic at Fir Park on Sunday after proving a real handful for Martin O’Neill’s side.

"They have been doing well this season under Terry Butcher but we are determined to get back to winning ways again," said Kirk, who is one of a host of first-team players out of contract at the end of the current campaign.

"It will be a difficult game for us but we enjoyed a decent run of victories before that disappointing spell recently.

"And we have to try to get back on that kind of run again."

Hearts goal milestones

• First league goal: Isaac Begbie, August 1890 v. Rangers at Ibrox.

• 1000th: Bobby Walker, November 19, 1910 v. Airdrieonians at Tynecastle.

• 2000th: David Edgar, February 5, 1927, v Motherwell at Tynecastle.

• 3000th: Tommy Brown, November 26, 1938, v Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park.

• 4000th: Jimmy Wardhaugh, March 7, 1953, v Aberdeen at Tynecastle.

• 5000th: Danny Ferguson, March 10, 1965, v Greenock Morton at Cappielow.

• 6000th: Jimmy Bone, December 15, 1984, v Dundee United at Tannadice.

• 7000th: Andy Kirk, December 20, 2003, v Rangers at Ibrox.

Totals include war-time league fixtures.

Taken from the Scotsman