Hearts 0 Motherwell 1

RONNIE MacKAY at Tynecastle

The Well faithful didn’t warm to the big Scouser when he first arrived last summer.

He suffered the jeers and the sneers. Now he deserves the cheers.

The striker put the Steelmen within touching distance of the Champions League with his winner against Hearts.

Higdon slotted home his 16th goal of the season in the 29th minute at Tynecastle to put them eight points ahead of Dundee United.

He endured a frustrating first six months at Fir Park — and even landed a one-match suspension after he was found guilty of making a gesture at his own supporters back in January.

But he eventually silenced the boo boys and his goals have now put Well on the brink of a place in Europe’s top tournament.

They will clinch a spot in the third qualifying round if the Arabs fail to take three points against Rangers tonight.

Jambos boss Paulo Sergio made three changes to his side. Craig Beattie, who has a hamstring problem, wasn’t risked and Andrew Driver and Rudi Skacel were relegated to the bench.

In came Stephen Elliott, David Templeton and Mehdi Taouil, who had been out for a month with a back problem. Arvydas Novikovas could only manage a pace on the bench despite his screamer of an equaliser in weekend’s 2-2 draw with United.

Unsurprisingly, Well boss Stuart McCall stuck with the side that thumped St Johnstone 5-1 on Saturday.

All the pre-match focus was on whether Well could continue their march to the Champions League.

But the Jambos have a Europa League place to play for. Sixth place won’t guarantee it if Hibs win the Scottish Cup.

And it was the home side who almost got off to a flier in the second minute.

Elliott, playing as the lone front man supported by three right behind him, caught a glimpse of goal and attempted to curl the ball into the top corner from 20 yards but just missed the target.

At the other end, Ian Black — told his contract won’t be renewed in the summer earlier this week — was robbed by Higdon who played in Jamie Murphy for a weak shot straight at Jamie MacDonald.

The game went from end to end and next up was Darren Barr who struck a sizzler from 30 yards which just dipped over the bar.

Murphy looked in the mood and when Suso Santana gave the ball away, he glided his way past Andy Webster and MacDonald.

But his goalbound shot was blocked by Black before Webster belting the ball away from danger.

Santana may have been frustrating in his own half but in attack he was causing problems down the right. The Spaniard sent Elliott to the byeline to cross for Templeton, who then set up Taouil. But his shot was weak and off target.

Murphy was proving a thorn in the side of the Hearts defence and he cut inside and on to his right foot only to fire well wide.

Black then tried his luck with a left-foot strike from long distance which bounced wide of the target.

Murphy has forced his way back into the side after a dip in form saw him suffer a spell on the bench.

And he showed his worth when he teed up Motherwell’s winner.

Hearts clearly hadn’t heeded the warnings as yet again, he cut inside from the left on to his right foot and smacked a shot at MacDonald.

The keeper could only push the ball straight to the lurking Higdon who made no mistake as he stroked home from 12 yards.

That put him on 16 goals for the season — one more than he hit for St Mirren last term.

Well hadn’t been brilliant but they got the opening goal that mattered and that gave McCall’s men a real surge in confidence.

Black fouled Keith Lasley 25 yards out and Tom Hateley should have done better than send the free-kick high and wide.

Hearts bucked up their ideas in the second half and turned the screw with Skacel sent on to add a threat.

Templeton shimmied his way into the box but when he looked as if he was ready to pick his spot, he fired straight at Darren Randolph.

And moments later, Barr went close when he got his head to Danny Grainger’s wicked free-kick but his effort just missed the top corner.

Well were living dangerously and breathed a huge sigh of relief in 74 minutes when Santana put the ball in the net only to be flagged offside.

And as the Jambos mounted a late onslaught, McCall’s men stood firm and held out for three priceless points.

TOP MEN: Darren Barr (Hearts), Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell).

HEARTS: MacDonald 6, McGowan 7, Webster 6, Zaliukas 7, Grainger 7, Barr 7, Black 7 (Driver 3), Santana 7, Taouil 6 (Skacel 6), Templeton 7, Elliott 6 (Glen 3).

MOTHERWELL: Randolph 7, Hateley 7, Hutchinson 8, Clancy 8, Hammell 7, Humphrey 5 (Daley 2), Lasley 7, Jennings 7, Law 6, Higdon 7, Murphy 6 (Ojamaa 3).

REFEREE: Brian Winter 7.