Falkirk 2 - 1 Hearts

AN irresistible composite of youth and experience earned Falkirk their first points of the season. Neil McCann's opener after just 150 seconds, the 34-year-old's first in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League since February 2003, was a cause for celebration.

That it came on his debut for John Hughes's side and against Hearts, his former club, added further piquancy. But McCann's significant contribution should not overshadow that of Scott Arfield. It was the 19-year-old midfielder who won the game for the home side in the dying stages of an enthralling encounter.

The Scotland Under-21 midfielder displayed conviction and composure to drill home the winner from a Steve Lovell cut-back. "All the boys have told me that I should improve on my goal-scoring, and I think that as well," said Arfield, as articulate off the field as he is on it.
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"The gaffer is always telling me to strike the ball and I am happy that I placed it this time. Instead of snatching it I just placed it in the corner." There is an unmistakeable, if understated confidence, about Arfield. Asked if he has set himself a target for the season, he was unafraid to tempt fate. "I'll hopefully get double figures," he added.

McCann signed for Falkirk in the summer following a second spell at Tynecastle, but picked up a hamstring strain in pre-season and had not featured until the weekend. If he stays fit, he will have a role to play both in terms of his own contribution and in coaxing the best from prodigious youngsters like Arfield.

"You just need to look at where he has been - down to the Premiership, and the players he has played with," said Arfield of McCann. "You can't just let what he says go in one ear and out the other. The gaffer has brought in experienced boys - like Lee Bullen, Jackie McNamara and Neil - and it's a big help."

Hughes also praised the influence of McCann. "Neil is everything I want at the club. When I spoke to him about coming here, his enthusiasm and desire to enjoy his football poured out of him. We were compatible. He was surprised that I started him. I asked what he had in him and he said an hour'. He's come through it unscathed and that's great for us."

This was the first time Hughes has been able to field a first-choice side and his summer acquisitions looked impressive. As well as McCann, Burton O'Brien added class in central midfield and Lovell's introduction in the second half added much-needed power and pace to their frontline. The Falkirk manager deserves credit for overseeing Kevin McBride's conversion to a holding midfielder of some distinction.

The visitors contributed hugely to the game and found a way back into it through Michael Stewart's delicious 71st-minute daisy-cutter. Csaba Laszlo, the Hearts head coach, is still searching for his most potent line-up, but their deficiencies in attack are the most obvious. They started with Jamie Mole as a lone striker and Laryea Kingston playing off him. Mole was isolated and ineffectual and the Ghanaian's lavish talents do not seem best suited to the more advanced role.

It was no surprise that their goal came from midfield. The introduction of Andrius Ksanavicus and Christian Nade after the interval helped them to seize the initiative and Kingston looked more comfortable after being moved to a wide midfield slot. "I must compliment my team. We lost the three points, but we played well in the second half and controlled the game," said Laszlo.

Taken from the Herald