Hearts 2 - 1 Kilmarnock

ROB ROBERTSON at Tynecastle September 23 2004

A packed Tynecastle on derby day or when the Old Firm come to call is a joy to behold. It's worth mentioning that fact to the Lithuanian delegation who are in town to try and buy Hearts.

For the aides of Vladimir Romanov, the man who wants to buy the club, to check out the ground on a CIS Insurance Cup night with only 5924 people inside was never a good idea. They did see a winning Hearts team, although it was only the opportunism of Paul Hartley, who scored twice, which secured their passage to the next round.

Kilmarnock may have scored a consolation through Peter Leven but they will rue several missed chances, with Danny Invincibile and Kris Boyd the main culprits. They dominated most of the second half but failed to capitalise on the possession which they enjoyed.

The usually passionate home support were rather reserved even in victory, which was simply down to the fact that the CIS Insurance Cup doesn't fire their imagination. Even the organised protests against the chief executive, Chris Robinson, were half-hearted. For a few million pounds' investment Romanov will get a bargain in terms of players, manager and stadium. There is the issue, of course, of a £19.1m debt, but when Craig Levein's side are on song that is put to the back of their supporters' minds.

The stands may have been a bit sparse against Kilmarnock but with a home league game against Inverness on Saturday and then a vital UEFA Cup away match against SC Braga next midweek that was not surprising. The Hearts players put in a power of work, especially in the middle of the park, where Hartley was superb, and at the back, where Andy Webster nursed young centre back Christophe Berra through.

Kilmarnock had a decent chunk of the play but no luck whatsoever. Take Hartley's opening goal in 15 minutes. Jamie McAllister played a corner out to the edge of the area to Joe Hamill. The youngster lined up a shot but missed the ball. It ran under his foot into the path of Hartley, who fired home past Alan Combe.

It also did nothing for Jim Jefferies' game plan when Gary McDonald went off injured to be replaced by Craig Dargo after only 25 minutes. His side were forced to defend deeper and deeper.

An interesting aside was that at some Hearts goalkicks Kilmarnock put both the midfielder Eric Joly and the defender Freddy Dindeleux on Mark de Vries to stop him winning anything in the air. The tactic worked well but it was injury rather than anything else that forced the Dutchman off at half-time.

Kilmarnock's bad luck continued in the second half when Invincibile hit the side net when it was easier to score and when Hartley poked in a Hamill cross soon after it looked like the game was over. However some slack defending four minutes later let Leven in to score and gave Kilmarnock a new lease of life.

It was only by closing down the midfield that Hearts managed to quell the Kilmarnock attacks, which were swift and concise. The home attack without de Vries was poor, with Dennis Wyness was left alone and isolated up front on too many occasions. Even when he did have a chance the striker looked light on confidence.

The frustration on seeing his side push forward but failing to make the vital breakthrough was etched on the face of Jim Jefferies. His side can certainly count themselves unlucky that they didn't manage to take the game into extra-time.

What the Lithuanian delegation made of last night is anybody's guess. One thing for sure is that they would have realised that after Levein they have to pull out the stops to keep de Vries at Hearts. Without him they struggle and keeping him fit and healthy this season must be the main priority.

One talking point surrounds Michael Stewart, the midfielder on loan from Manchester United. He didn't even merit a starting place last night and his disappointing start to his season at Hearts must bother Levein greatly.

Hearts (4-4-2) Gordon; Kisnorbo, Webster, Berra, Maybury; Neilson, McAllister, Hartley, Hamill; Wyness, de Vries. Subs: MacFarlane, Sloan, Stewart, Sives, Moilanen.

Kilmarnock (4-4-2) Combe; Greer, Dindeleux, Lilley, Leven; Fowler, McDonald (Dargo 25), Joly, Johnston; Invincibile, Boyd. Subs: Wales, Dodds, Dillon, Smith Booked Dargo

Referee H Dallas

Taken from the Herald