John's penalty joy

31.10.2012

Hearts manager John McGlynn was absolutely over the moon as his heroic side secured a return to Hampden at the first time of asking with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Dundee United.

Callum Paterson had given the Jambos the lead in the first half as the Maroons threatened to run riot on Tayside, but a goal from Johnny Russell against the run of play levelled the game just before the break.

Jamie MacDonald was the hero as his two crucial saves in the shoot-out saw the Jambos run out 5-4 winners after a gruelling 120 minute shift - made all the more difficult when Darren Barr saw red with 15 minutes to go in normal time.

An elated John spoke to the media after the match and described the emotions he went through as his side roared back against the Terrors to seal a famous victory.

"We're absolutely delighted to get through", said the gaffer. "We didn't deserve to go in at half-time level".

"When we went down to 10 men we had to re-organise but the lads showed great spirit to make it to penalties".

Despite misses from Danny Grainger and John Sutton with the first two kicks, Hearts somehow flew back into the game with two stunning saves from Jamie MacDonald in goal, before 5 successive penalty conversions put the pressure on Sean Dillon, who missed the sudden death kick.

"It's a lottery in penalties. When we missed our first two I thought we were done for, but the courage the players showed - especially after missing our first two kicks - was magnificent".

Finally, John refused to be drawn into any comment on former player Rudi Skacel, who appeared as a substitute for Dundee United and was denied the chance to take a kick in the shoot-out by manager Peter Houston, simply saying he "couldn't recall Rudi taking many penalties" and that he was purely focussed on his own team's magnificent achievement..

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