Michael Gannon verdict: Hearts performance means Euro dream is still alive

HEARTS fans could scarcely believe the performance of their heroes against star-studded Liverpool but the footballing gods can be twisted.
David Templeton tries his luck from distance David Templeton tries his luck from distance

THERE was just 15 minutes to go when one Hearts fan of a certain vintage turned to his grandson and said: “Can you believe this?”

The young lad looked back puzzled but it was more of a rhetorical question.

They could scarcely believe they were witnessing one of the greatest Hearts displays in recent European history.

Just two minutes later reality didn’t just bite, it took a good chew before spitting the Jambos out.

For 77 minutes the Jambos didn’t only keep Liverpool at bay, they were the better team and a draw was the least they deserved for their efforts.

By the end Liverpool were hanging on. The footballing gods can be a twisted lot at times.

It had to be Andy Webster as well. The big defender was inspirational all night but couldn't get out of the way of Martin Kelly’s wicked low cross.

It was beyond cruel. The late dagger through the Hearts shouldn’t take the shine off a memorable night. This clash will live long in the memory and maybe, just maybe, the Jambos can produce a miracle on the Mersey next week.

It sounds as ridiculous as it is incredulous but after the performance last night at least the dream is still alive.

Especially if Liverpool produce another display like this one. It is fair to say the Anfield giants were unrecognisable – and not just because of the line-up.

The famous red shirt was nowhere to be seen and instead it was a nondescript black-and-grey outfit.

It is not just the look that’s a pale imitation of Liverpool these days.

“You’re not famous any more,” the Jambos taunted from the stands, which sounded a bit like tempting fate, but there’s no doubt the Reds ain’t what they used to be.

A 3-0 defeat to West Brom on the opening day of the Premier League season would have sent shockwaves around the globe in years gone by.

Not now. But if the West Brom result was a shock, it hardly registered on the Richter scale compared to what Hearts were attempting to do.

They might not be the force they were but Liverpool are hardly on their uppers.

It’s hard to feel sorry for a side that can cough up £18million for Jordan
Henderson, who was handed a rare start last night, with £10.5m striker Fabio Borini leading the line.

The Italian has been billed as the new Filippo Inzaghi but as he scudded the post when clean through before the break he looked more like Flipp Flop.

Mind you, £10m is sweetie money in the Premiership, where £14m strikers can’t even get a game for Scotland.

A lot was made of the Anfield men who didn’t make the trip. There was no Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez or Andy Carroll but this was hardly a second string. Not when it included Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger.

And not forgetting Scotland’s Charlie Adam. The playmaker has come a long way since Rangers let him go for a pittance but he won’t have forgotten what it’s like to compete in the Tynecastle cauldron.

He was also born to play at the highest level. It seems like a lifetime ago Adam was strutting around at Dingwall when on loan at Ross County, getting his ear chewed by boss Alex Smith for going for the Hollywood pass all the time.

A big time Charlie? Too right he is and why not. Adam is box office and still has the same attitude, always looking for that devastating one-in-a-100 through ball to unhinge a defence in a blink of an eye.

The problem for him was Hearts never gave him an inch and every time he looked to wind up his trusty left peg he had a Jambo snapping at his heels. Hearts may not have been able to compete in terms of ability but no one was going to beat them on effort and desire.

The days of Scottish clubs going toe to toe in a fair fight with the neighbours across the wall are long gone. Not that it stopped the Jambos dreaming.

Tynecastle was full to bursting with an atmosphere to match. A wall of noise greeted the sides and even the Liverpool players seemed taken aback.

Gorgie has witnessed some
incredible European nights but rarely has the old place rocked like this.

The Jambos who froze 12 months ago when they were caught gazing at the stars of Spurs weren’t going to make the same mistake again.

They were going to get stuck in and that they did, right from the off. John McGlynn went with an attacking line-up. There was no Andy Driver but John Sutton had David Templeton for company up front.

McGlynn was going for it and not only did Hearts survive the first 20 minutes, they bossed them. Jambos fans were loving it and no wonder. Here was Mehdi Taouil doing backheels against the five-time European Cup winners.

It wasn’t just a party trick either. The little Moroccan spun once, flicked the ball to Arvydas Novikovas who lashed a wicked, swirling shot that had Reina flapping to keep out.

Hearts were not just holding their own – they were the better team.

Sutton drilled a shot just wide and Templeton flashed a volley flashed over the bar.

Liverpool had barely threatened yet Hearts wouldn’t have been cocky going in at the break after the Borini let-off.

Surely it couldn’t last? You bet it could. Hearts expected an onslaught after the interval but it never came and it was the Jambos who kept their foot on the gas.

After an hour Brendan Rodgers was getting fidgety and chucked on £30m pair Stewart Downing and Joe Allen.

Eventually Liverpool got lucky but not even the bitter late twist of fate could quieten the roars around Tynecastle.

Taken from the Daily Record