McGlynn's disappointment

03.11.2012

Hearts boss John McGlynn was an unhappy man as his Scottish Communities League Cup semi-finalists failed to repeat the trick of Wednesday's Tannadice triumph as they slumped to a disappointing defeat at Dens Park.

The promoted side recorded only their second win of the season - both against Hearts, disappointingly - as a first-half free kick from Matt Lockwood gave the basement side a much needed victory at the expense of a below-par Hearts side.
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Speaking after the match at a bitterly cold Dens Park, John explained where he felt Hearts had gone wrong today: "We never really got going today. We huffed and puffed and might have snuck a draw but we never got the levels we have been achieving."

After a gruelling 120 minute shift on Wednesday night, John's team selection may have surprised some as he elected to make only one enforced change, with the concussion-stricken Ryan Stevenson making way for Scott Robinson.

Despite his side's efforts, John was reluctant to pin the blame for today's defeat on fatigue.

"You don't want to make excuses, fatigue might have something to do with it but we can really have no excuses for not getting a result today", said John. "

"We gave them encouragement with a gift of a goal again, just like the game at Tynecastle, and it gave them something to hang on to. They defended very well, especially their centre halves."

The question of squad rotation reared its head once more as John tried to explain the reasons for today's defeat, claiming he only had a small pool of players to work with and tried to mix it up in the second half as the Jambos desperately sought an equaliser.

"We have been playing well, maybe not getting the right results but today wasn't good. We've got a squad of players, that's all we have. We tried to freshen it up with the substitutes but it just didn't happen for us today."

Hearts World