Hearts 2-1 St Mirren

Aug 25 2008 Colin Duncan Reports

CSABA LASZLO'S only cause for concern after Hearts made heavy weather of beating Saints was a desperate need to add some weight to his attack. And that's where second-half sub Christian Nade comes in. All 17st 3lbs of him.

The Jambos squandered a glut of chances against a resolute Saints outfit who played with 10 men for more than an hour after the dismissal of Spanish midfielder Tonet.

Nade missed at least one of those gilt-edged opportunities late in the game but Laszlo is convinced the former France Under-21 striker can be transformed into a lean, mean goalscoring machine.

That's despite the gaffer thinking the former Sheffield United hitman was a fat onlooker from nearby Heriot-Watt University when he first turned up at Hearts' Riccarton training base.

Refreshingly, Laszlo openly discussed Nade's weight problem, even if it was only after amusingly mishearing a journalist's enquiry about whether the player was getting any fitter.

Laszlo said: "Oh no, he used to be a lot fatter. He was 110 kilos when I came to the club. I thought he was from the university and had just come over to watch us train.

"In pre-season I didn't think he'd be able to run but over 10 metres he could win an Olmypic gold medal."

Hearts, too, were quick out of the blocks and should have been two goals up inside the first 10 minutes.

First Lee Wallace couldn't find the poise to match his pace and power and then Will Haining did well to clear aJamie Mole effort off the line.

The visitors were hampered when Tonet was despatched for an early bath after picking up two cautions in the space of three minutes.

His first was for a mistimed lunge on Jason Thomson and the second a clumsy tackle on Michael Stewart.

Technically, ref Calum Murray was correct to send him off but St Mirren had every right to feel hard done by as there was no malice in either challenge.

Gus MacPherson's men received another setback before the interval when Mole let fly with a thunderous 25-yard effort that keeper Mark Howard could only palm into the net.

The goal was no more than Hearts deserved although the Paisley side are due credit for their second-half response.

MacPherson made three rapid-fire substitutions and the introduction of Hugh Murray, Stephen McGinn and Jim Hamilton provided Saints with some much-needed impetus.

Their effort and endeavour was rewarded in the 70th minute when a lapse of concentration from debutant David Obua allowed Murray to set up Billy Mehmet for the equaliser.

But Hearts grabbed their winner five minutes later when Stewart slotted home from the penalty spot after Franco Miranda upended Andrew Driver.

Uganda international Obua said: "I enjoyed myself apart from the little mistake I made near the end. I was a little bit nervous. The pace was quick but I think I can get used to it."

Obua was deployed on the left of the midfield before moving to fullback when Wallace went off with a stomach complaint.

He feels Hearts fans will see the best of him when he plays in his favoured role.

Obua said: "My best position is behind the lone striker. I can cover anywhere if there is any trouble but I like being further forward.

"I think you will see some good goals from me when I play there."

Only a string of outstanding saves from an inspired Howard kept the scoreline respectable with Laszlo claiming Hearts should have scored six or seven.

Despite their dominance, Mehmet should have made it 2-2 at the death but headed wide with the goal at his mercy. Howard said: "It was one of my better games but I'm still disappointed.

"We did so well to get back in the game only to lose. I think six or seven is an exaggeration although they created a lot of chances. We put so much effort into the game and it is frustrating to come away with nothing. All the boys are gutted."

Howard saved a last-minute penalty but was annoyed he didn't keep out Stewart's first spot-kick.

The goalie said: "He's a confident player who likes to stroke the ball into the bottom corner but I was disappointed I didn't save the first one. I think it bobbled and just popped over my hand."

MAN OF THE MATCH

Mark Howard (St Mirren)

MATCH STATS

59 POSSESSION % 41

9 SHOTS ON TARGET 2

6 SHOTS ON TARGET 1

12 CORNERS 4

13 FOULS CONCEDED 15

1 OFF SIDES 1

HEARTS

MAN BY MAN

Marion Kello: Rarely tested on Hearts debut but looked confident and assured. 6

Lee Wallace: Strong and composed at back and unfortunate not to score. 6

Jason Thomson: Youngster slotted comfortably into the back four. 7

Christophe Berra: Barely broke sweat in the first half, needed to be alert after break. 6

Marius Zaliukas: No-nonsense as always.6

Christos Karapidis: Neat and tidy at the centre of Hearts midfield. 6

Larry Kingston: Linked play intelligently between midfield and attack. 7

Michael Stewart: Cut Saints to ribbons with pinpoint passing. 8

David Obua: Used the ball well but caught napping at the equaliser. 6

Andrew Driver: Provided his frontmen with plenty of ammunition from left. 7

Jamie Mole: Scored stunning 25-yarder. 7

Subs: Deividas Cesnauskis - didn't do much after replacing Wallace, 4. Christine Nade - added weight to Hearts attack, 3. Audrius Ksanavicius - handed late run out, 3.

ST MIRREN

MAN BY MAN

Mark Howard: Kept his team in the match with a string of stunning saves. 8

Jack Ross: Attempted to get forward but forced back when down to 10 men. 6

Franco Miranda: Conceded too many silly fouls including the decisive penalty. 5

Will Haining: Stood up well to a constant Hearts barrage and dominated in the air. 6

John Potter: Caught napping in first 10 minutes before warming to task. 6

Garry Brady: Sound defensive shift and tremendous workrate in midfield. 6

Gary Mason: Outnumbered for long spells of match but showed great appetite.7

Andy Dorman: Out of it in the middle of the park. Hooked after 55 minutes. 5

Stephen O'Donnell: Struggled to make presence felt. Replaced by Murray. 5

Tonet: Red-carded after being booked twice in the space of three minutes. 3

Billy Mehmet: Ran heart out up front on his own and rewarded with deserved goal. 7

Subs: Hugh Murray - gave midfield some steel, 6. Stephen McGinn - provided impetus, 6. Jim Hamilton - bolstered attack, 5.

MAGIC MOMENT

Stunning opening goal from Mole was the highlight of the day

Taken from the Daily Record