Tynecastle players show their commitment and passion to bank the points

THE numbers don't add up for Hearts in more ways than one.

What it says on the players' contracts doesn't square with what's being deposited in their bank accounts. And when it comes to their position in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, the fact they are sitting in fifth place doesn't compute either.

For all the inevitable attention and criticism of the chaos and disorder around Tynecastle a couple of facts remain: they still have a squad which is bigger and better than any outwith the Old Firm, and when they play they continue to defy any urge to compromise or switch off in the service of a club which is mistreating them.

A strong Hearts side, playing with vigour and energy, was far too strong for Motherwell and reasserted their own case to be seen as the third best team in the league. That isn't yet true in terms of the table – they are still six points behind Motherwell, having played one game more – but when they operate like they did on Saturday their case becomes compelling. Motherwell have gone around the country given almost everyone a beating this season but they were easily dismissed in Gorgie.

Hearts produced the sort of performance which ought to have mortified their owner, Vladimir Romanov, although he seems to have enough of a brass neck to be beyond embarrassment. What a travesty that these footballers continue to play with undimmed commitment and passion when they're not even being shown the respect of their wages going into the bank.

"It was a players' victory," manager Paulo Sergio told Hearts TV. "They deserve it more than anyone else."

Their vitality overwhelmed Motherwell and their width and positive play stretched and tormented them. David Templeton and Mehdi Taouil had fine matches – the former giving right-back Tom Hateley an awful going-over – and Ian Black was also influential. Black set himself skilfully before shooting hard and inside the far post for the opening goal. Templeton made a mess of Hateley before driving over the cross which Stephen Elliott touched over the line for the second after 28 minutes. Hearts dominated the rest of the day, albeit without further goals.

"I thought Hearts were excellent," said Motherwell's Keith Lasley. "I admire their players, because there's a lot going on behind the scenes. We've had a taste of that ourselves at Motherwell, unfortunately [the club spent time in administration], so to a certain extent we know what's going through their heads. But they still have a really good depth of squad. If those players play well they would cause any team problems. I think when players are playing for their futures, whether it's at Hearts or anywhere else, they are going to be doing their best."

Hearts' prospects of rising to third place, and staying there, are entirely dependent on how their squad looks after the January window. If others are sold, like Eggert Jonsson, or refuse to play because of the unpaid wages, like Ryan Stevenson, their chances will crumble. If there is some stability they can continue to climb. They are at Aberdeen on Wednesday but Jamie Hamill will miss that match and the weekend's Edinburgh derby after damaging his ankle ligaments.

"If Hearts can keep that side together they will challenge for third," said Motherwell manager Stuart McCall. "I'm surprised they're not higher than they are, even before their recent problems. They have the third-strongest squad in the league. There's no disgrace in coming to Hearts and getting beaten by that side."

Motherwell took a sizeable and noisy travelling support but for once their team really let them down. They're not such a potent side without Steve Jennings to anchor their midfield and his suspension was hugely significant. Their midfielders could not impose themselves on the play and they did a poor job of containing Black, Templeton and Taouil. They're still five points clear of St Johnstone in third place, with a game in hand, but in the quest for European football they could really do with Hearts' squad being culled next month.

Taken from the Herald