Keeper Broken Hearted After Howler

Dec 16 2007

BLUNDER Hearts keeper Eduardas Kurskis was inconsolable last night after gifting Rangers the winning goal in his side's 2-1 defeat at Ibrox.

Jambos looked set to nick a point after Andrius Velicka cancelled Lee McCulloch's opener but Kurskis dropped a simple high ball from McCulloch four minutes from time and it bounced over the line.

It was a shocking error and Tynecastle defender Robbie Neilson said: "Eduardas is nearly in tears. He can't explain the mistake - he was really quiet and dejected in the dressing-room.

"He is a great lad but it will be difficult for him to come back from this.

"It has been tough for our keepers recently and we don't know who will play in goal from one week to the next.

"We need to help Eduardas recover and lift ourselves. We played well in the second half and showed a lot of grit and composure." Gers midfielder Charlie Adam reckons that goal will be regarded as a significant moment if Gers go on to win the title.

Adam said: "I thought the keeper could have caught it but credit to us for showing the character to keep going until the end. We have a lot of determination.

"Those late goals, however, are ones that can win you championships.

"It was important to get victory in this game.

We had a difficult match during the week and usually struggle in the SPL after playing in the Champions League.

"But we deserved the points as it is always difficult to play against Hearts.

"You could tell our fans were anxious as the game wore on and so were the players.

"You have to produce in front of 50,000 supporters and that's not always easy."

Adam was back in the starting line-up after being left out against Lyon and said: "I want to play every week but it is up to the manager.

I played a wee bit closer to the centre of the park today and enjoyed it.

"But there is strong competition in there with Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson."

A large section of Gers fans at the game made their feelings known about speculation that Kenny Miller is set to return to Ibrox in January.

The former Celtic striker will clearly not be made welcome going by the chants but boss Walter Smith said: "I will not comment on transfer stories about individual players."

MATCH STATS

6 SHOTS ON 3

7 SHOTS OFF 5

6 OFFSIDE 0

13 FOULS 19

4 CORNERS 3

2 BOOKINGS 2

Taken from the Sunday Mail