Jambo fervour grows as super Hearts attack

PAUL KIDDIE
AT TANNADICE

Dundee Utd 0
Hearts 3

MUCH more of this and even George Burley could struggle to keep a lid on the euphoria currently sweeping through Gorgie.

Three games played, three victories in the bag, 11 goals scored and Hearts sit two points clear at the top of the SPL. Oh yes, and there is the small matter of 11,000 season tickets having been sold.

Not bad going for a team which did not even have a manager in June. Had anyone dare suggest such a scenario six weeks ago, the men in white coats would surely have been summoned.

Fans may still be pinching themselves at the remarkable turnaround of fortunes but there is no denying these are exciting times for the Tynecastle outfit.

The incredible 5300-strong travelling support which descended on Tannadice yesterday for the clash against Dundee United was evidence itself that things are not quite what they used to be.

Burley himself conceded that his side's scintillating start to the campaign has been beyond his own expectations and, while he won't countenance talk of league titles at this early stage, it is clear that the future is looking rather bright at Tynecastle.

"You don't expect to win your first three games but we have some good players and there is a fine spirit in the camp," he said.

"We are not looking any further than the Aberdeen game on Saturday and all our thoughts are on winning that one.

"They beat Rangers at Pittodrie so it is going to be a very tough game and we'll have to play better than we did at times yesterday." The Dons' dramatic victory over the champions provided Hearts with the opportunity to go back to the top of the table and they grasped the chance in some style with an impressive 3-0 triumph over United.

Even the most optimistic Jambo could not have hoped for such an exhilarating opening to the 2004-05 campaign, yesterday's win following victories over Hibs and Kilmarnock.

Burley doesn't give the impression of a man who gets easily excited but the next few weeks could see his pulse start to quicken if his players make the most of the hand dealt by the SPL's fixtures committee.

The table-topping Jambos now have two home games against Aberdeen and Motherwell to look forward to before trips to struggling Livingston and then Inverness. They don't face one of the Old Firm until September 24 when Rangers are scheduled to visit the Capital and the opportunity is there for the players to do themselves a power of good before the champions ride into town.

Given their form to date, it is not inconceivable they could host the Glasgow giants buoyed by an unbeaten start to the season, with many supporters now daring to dream of seven straight wins before tackling Alex McLeish's men.

Burley's men, of course, will say nothing of the sort but it's clear they're relishing their lofty perch at the moment.

"It sounds good to be top of the league. That's three good results and we have to try to keep it going," said Paul Hartley.

"I couldn't have imagined this six weeks ago. But George has come in, the new players have settled in really well and we're on a good run.

"You can feel the excitement around the club just now.

"There's a real feeling in the dressing-room that we can keep this going. There's a long way to go but we are optimistic for the season. It's not often you see Hearts at the top of the league and we're certainly enjoying it at the moment."

Winning breeds confidence and that is not something the Jambos are short of at the moment.

"Hopefully we can maintain our form. Celtic play Rangers next week so something has to give there," said Hartley.

"We'll be hoping for a draw and while Aberdeen will be very difficult, if we can win that one then we can open the gap again. I think the Old Firm are there for the taking. It's still a tough challenge going to Ibrox or Parkhead but on our own patch we fear no-one."

Fighting talk indeed but then they have earned that right.

Yesterday's win was another job well done with Burley proving he is not afraid to tamper with a victorious team.

Despite hammering Hibs 4-0 last weekend, the Hearts boss made two changes to his starting line-up. Edgaras Jankauskas came in for teenager Calum Elliot and new Greek signing Takis Fyssas made his debut at left-back in place of the unfortunate Jamie McAllister.

Within 12 minutes of the start the visitors had stormed into a two-goal lead, Steven Pressley heading home a Rudi Skacel free-kick for the opener and Roman Bednar drilling home his second goal of the season after United had failed to clear their lines at a corner.

Despite the cushion, the Jambos didn't get things all their own way and there were enough alarms at the back to give Burley food for thought before the visit of the Dons on Saturday.

The Tangerines created at least four excellent chances in the opening period which, on another day, could well have found the back of the net.

Jim McIntyre wasted two great openings by heading wide on both occasions, while Mark Kerr and David McCracken will feel they should have done better with their shooting chances. Craig Gordon had to be at his best to keep out a header from Barry Robson 60 seconds into the second half and former Jambo Lee Miller, who struggled to make an impression against Pressley and Andy Webster, had a goal chalked off for offside on the hour mark. Despite this, Hearts always looked too strong for their hosts and appeared capable of stepping up a gear if required.

The threat they pose up front is awesome at times and their cutting edge left the United defence in tatters.

Hartley was denied by a good Stillie save and substitute Lee Wallace came close on two occasions before Skacel completed the scoring in the final minute with his third goal in as many games.

"You are always pleased when you win games. We scored three goals and could have got a few more," said Burley.

"We started fantastically well but then took the foot off the pedal. All credit to United, they came back into the game and put us under pressure and Craig Gordon had to make one or two saves.

"It was a game when we didn't play at our best but showed tremendous character and determination. That's 11 goals in three games which is terrific. It is never easy to come to Tannadice at any time so I was naturally delighted with the points."

Taken from the Scotsman