Hearts 1-0 Dundee United

Mar 31 2008 By Anthony Haggerty

ALL eyes were on the King of Hearts.

The Jambos Lithuanian-based owner Vladimir Romanov was in town.

Never before has watching a man sit in his seat in the stand of a Scottish football ground been such a spectator sport.

Ghanaian international Laryea Kingston's 27th-minute strike made sure the VIP was Vlad all Over as he settled the issue against Dundee United - who ended up with nine men - with a fine goal that kept Hearts in the hunt for a place in the top six.

Someone really ought to take Vlad aside and tell him his charges are not a formidable outfit and are struggling to finish in the top half of the table.

Last November the Jambos produced one of their most scintillating displays to thrash Aberdeen 4-1 on Remembrance Sunday with Vlad in attendance.

They were at it again this weekend after he had flown into Edinburgh late on Thursday night. Romanov held a meeting with the players on Friday and his stirring words helped contribute to another SPL victory - either that or his mere presence terrifies the Jambos staff.

Strange as it may seem, Romanov actually helps Hearts gets results.

Whenever he turns up in the capital, Hearts always seem to win.

Yet it was the young pretender to the Tynecastle throne who stole the show.

Club skipper Christophe Berra put aside his own disappointment at being snubbed by Scotland boss George Burley at Hampden on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old provided a master class in defending against former Jambos' hitman Mark de Vries.

If ever there was a case in point that perfectly illustrated Berra's progress, improving maturity and growing confidence, this was it.

Someone at Hearts should send a tape of this match to Burley just to show him there are very good defenders plying their trade in Scotland who do not play for the Old Firm.

Berra admitted he had not expected to get a run-out for Scotland but was bitterly disappointed at a lack of action so threw himself into club duty to make up for it. He said: "None of the subs expected to get on but I was still disappointed. Hopefully there will be other chances to play for Scotland.

"I didn't really think about it as I threw myself into this game for Hearts and wanted to play well - I believe that is the right way to react to setbacks in football."

Berra believes that if Hearts do make the top six this season then caretaker boss Stephen Frail will have played a huge part in the turnaround in fortunes since assuming command in January.

He said: "We were playing at home and have not exactly set the heather on fire here this season. We did a very professional job on Dundee United and since Shaggy (Stephen Frail) took over we haven't lost many games.

"Celtic and Rangers have beaten us but not many other sides have. We are working together and battling for each other as a team and that has made my job as club captain and team leader easier.

"The defence wants to keep clean sheets. In previous months when things were not so good we would concede goals and the fans would get on our backs.

"That is fair enough but now if someone makes a bad pass there is a team-mate to bail you out and that is all down to Shaggy and the team and work ethic he has instilled.

"Unfortunately a top-six finish is not in our hands now as we must beat Kilmarnock next week and hope Aberdeen can do us a favour by beating Falkirk.

"The Dons are still chasing the top-six spot as well so there are three teams fighting for it. But we all have a desire to do well as a team and individually and get results.

"Maybe Vladimir Romanov should turn up and watch us every week. We had achat before the game and it was nice to reward him with a victory."

Chances were few and far between in this contest. The goal came when Icelandic midfielder Eggert Jonsson's slide-rule pass sent Kingston clear and he clipped a neat finish past Lukasz Zaluska from 15 yards.

That was after Irishman Noel Hunt had missed an absolute sitter for United seven minutes previously when he fresh-aired a Willo Flood cross and got himself into such a fankle with the follow-up that he hit the side netting.

Zaluska also saved acrobatically from Saulius Mikoliunas'first-half header and then the Lithuanian blazed wildly over the bar from 10 yards on the hour mark.

The United keeper also produced a couple of decent stops from Christian Nade.

The game exploded in the closing stages when Garry Kenneth, who had earlier been booked, saw red for a lunge on Nade and didn't even hang about to be shown a second yellow card.

Moments later sub Danny Swanson, who had already been cautioned for dissent, collected a straight red card for a late and high challenge on Jonsson.

However, the day belonged to Hearts.

Romanov may want to think long and hard about who he is going to appoint to the vacant managerial hotseat.

If the man currently in possession of that post can steer Hearts to a top-six finish after being second bottom at one stage of the campaign, then surely he is worthy of a crack at the position on a permanent basis?

With Frail at the helm and a club skipper in the form of his life as well as a lucky mascot in Romanov, things can only get Berra for the Jambos.

MAN OF THE MATCH Christophe Berra (Hearts)

MAGIC MOMENT The fine finish from Laryea Kingston that won the contest.

Taken from the Daily Record