Mission accomplished

richard winton at tynecastle

21 Feb 2011

CAN a season that is over before the end of February ever be considered successful?

Emphatically yes, as far as Hearts are concerned.

Over the coming months, Jim Jefferies' side might pine for the prestige that the latter stages of the cup competitions brings – St Johnstone and Falkirk having prematurely ended any knockout interest – but that desire will be diluted by the knowledge that the Tynecastle club's stated ambition for the campaign has already been achieved. Third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League was the only glory they craved.

That point was reinforced in the aftermath of Saturday's victory over Dundee United, with Jefferies and captain Marius Zaliukas both cautiously conceding that continental competition for next season was within their grasp. Indeed, despite his flagrant impatience at being asked to share his thoughts, the Lithuanian was relaxed enough to muse that the players could perhaps enjoy a longer summer holiday.

"We didn't expect to be doing it so easily," Zaliukas admitted, this win effectively extinguishing United's lingering hopes of repeating their finish from last season. "We have three tough games to come and I think it will take seven points or even five and I think we will be safe."

In truth, such security is not necessary. Kilmarnock may currently occupy fourth place but United – with four games in hand and Hearts still scheduled to make two visits to Tannadice – were the only potential threat until this defeat left them 25 points in arrears.

As a consequence, Hearts now find themselves in a strange hinterland; too good – or perhaps rich – for the rest but not sufficiently so to worry the Old Firm. Abject defeats at both Glasgow grounds in the past few weeks has conclusively proved that much, even if Celtic's victory yesterday leaves them just two points behind Rangers – albeit having played two games more – and a further 10 adrift of Celtic.

So what now? Do they just coast to the end of the campaign, perhaps taking an early holiday as Zaliukas suggests? Or do they make one final push for second place? Jefferies spoke of getting the three wins he believes are required to confirm third as quickly as possible and seeing where that leaves them but there is a depressing sense that the players now consider their work done.

United, conversely, have a gruelling period ahead of them. While Peter Houston and his players will continue to say the right things about catching Hearts, they know it is now a forlorn pursuit. Their goal instead will be to emerge from eight games in 25 days having garnered the extra eight points that will move them above Kilmarnock and into fourth place, with a Scottish Cup semi-final to look forward to in April.

As has been the case all season, though, injuries will be their most troublesome opponent. Having already lost captain Jon Daly to a hernia, deputy Garry Kenneth will be absent for the next three weeks after straining the medial ligament in his left knee on Saturday, leaving Houston with 19-year-old Timothy van der Meulen – who endured an uncomfortable senior debut – as his only recognised fit centre-back. Couple that with the ongoing travails of Craig Conway, Danny Swanson, Morgaro Gomis, Mihael Kovacevic, Darren Dods and Scott Severin and it is little wonder that Hearts have found their pursuit of third place so perfunctory.

Houston, though, was right to be encouraged by an accomplished performance on Saturday from a squad that contained seven under-21 players and just one outfield performer – Sean Dillon – over the age of 25. Whether such a callow collective can keep up with the punishing pace remains to be seen but, if they can, Hearts might not be the only ones toasting a successful season.

analysis Hearts on easy street after latest victory, but choosing the right path poses fresh challenge

2' Barry Douglas' corner is nudged into the net by David Goodwillie but Calum Murray rules the striker handled.

6' 0-1 Goodwillie flips a ball into the area and a combination of Douglas and Eggert Jonsson diverts over Marian Kello.

45+2 1-1 Dusan Pernis cannot hold Stephen Elliott's drive and, as Timothy van der Meulen hesitates, Rudi Skacel bundles in.

88' 2-1 Marius Zaliukas brushes Van der Meulen aside to bullet in Craig Thomson's corner.

90+2 RED CARD Ruben Palazuelos is penalised for bringing down David Robertson but Goodwillie's penalty is saved by Kello and the striker hooks the rebound wide.

Taken from the Herald