Nade stunner earns Hearts deserved draw with Bolton

Published Date: 05 August 2009
By STUART BATHGATE
A SPECTACULAR strike by Christian Nade gave Hearts a share of the spoils against Bolton Wanderers last night in a friendly which gave the home support considerable grounds for optimism.
The fact that the notoriously shot-shy Nade got on the scoresheet was one reason to be hopeful, but more important was the fact that manager Csaba Laszlo was able to introduce a number of young substitutes without adversely affecting play.

An impressive display by new signing Suso Santana was another big plus point, and the Spaniard was deservedly named man of the match.

The match began at a fair pace for a friendly, with Suso, one of three men in the starting line-up making his home debut, appearing particularly keen to make an early impression. He certainly did so on referee Steve Finnie, who warned him after quarter of an hour for a series of over-enthusiastic sliding tackles, and soon after had to warn him again for a careless challenge on Paul Robinson. Within a minute of the restart Robinson retaliated twice and was lucky not to be booked.

The other Hearts debutants were central defender Ismael Bouzid and striker David Witteveen, with the latter partnering Nade in a 4-4-2 formation. That formation was one aspect of the evening which was different from last season, as was the return from a long loan spell of Jose Goncalves to play alongside Bouzid.

Nade had the first on-target effort of the evening, but his snap shot was hit too straight to worry Jussi Jaaskelainen. At the other end, Sean Davis was just too high from a free-kick.

As half-time approached the players had demonstrated their willingness to test their stamina but had produced little in the way of creative football. Michael Stewart was wearing the captain's armband – Marius Zaliukas, the other candidate for the honour, began the match as planned on the bench – but neither he nor his team-mates in midfield were able to take control of play.

Five minutes before the break Witteveen fired in a dipping effort from 25 yards, but it drifted harmlessly over the bar.

Laszlo, who had named eight substitutes, began to ring the changes three minutes into the second half when he brought Zaliukas on for Goncalves. The Lithuanian was involved immediately, twice breaking up attacks as Bolton sought to increase the tempo, but neither he nor the other members of the back four were able to prevent the Lancashire club taking the lead a couple of minutes later.

Johan Elmander made the goal, taking possession 40 yards out and making space for himself before angling a ball behind the defence. Patrice Muamba did the rest, steadying himself on the right-hand edge of the box then sending a low drive into the opposite corner of Janos Balogh's net.

Hearts' reply was swift. Suso broke down the wing and crossed into the edge of the box. Witteveen swung out and failed to make contact, but Nade made no such mistake, sending a screaming drive into the net from around 15 yards out.

Suso came close to giving his side the lead with a solo run, and a once-soporific match had burst into life.

Ian Black then became Hearts' fourth Tynecastle debutant of the night when he replaced his captain. Suso was next to leave the pitch, allowing Arvidas Novikas to become debutant No 5, with Dawid Kucharski and Craig Thomson eventually following as the sixth and seventh.

Hearts: Balogh, Jonsson, Bouzid (Kucharski 74), Goncalves (Zaliukas 48), Wallace, Suso (Novikovas 68), M Stewart (Black 62), Kingston (J Stewart 53), Obua (C Thomson 82), Witteveen, Nade (Glen 69). Sub not used: Kello.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Steinsson (Davies 46), O'Brien, Knight, Robinson, Elmander, Muamba, Davis (Cohen 88), Taylor, Gardner. Subs not used: Bogdan, Obadeyi, Samuel, Riga.

Taken from the Scotsman