Jambo joy as Grainger cashes in

ROBERT GRIEVE at Tynecastle
Published: 17th November 2012

THEY’VE spent three weeks desperately raising funds.

But this victory helped raise spirits at Tynecastle.

Hearts supporters have dug deep to take their share issue tally to over £500,000.

Yesterday Danny Grainger’s deflected free-kick winner was absolutely PRICELESS.

The club’s players, who deferred their own wages for a month, applauded the Gorgie faithful for their efforts before kick-off in a show of club unity.

Then the 16,443 attendance — the biggest collection of home fans the stadium has seen since it was rebuilt — returned the tribute after a hard-fought win.

Luckless St Mirren put plenty into the game but for them it’s now six back-to-back defeats in the SPL.

Danny Lennon’s Paisley side are just one point off bottom club Dundee, who beat Hibs.

Make no mistake about it, the struggling Saints are knee-deep in the league’s relegation battle.

For Hearts, it’s all about actual survival as a club — but if this was anything to go by they’ll not go down without a fight.

Legendary goalscorer John Roberston was even out on the pitch at half time — raising the roof as he insisted: ‘as long as I’m alive this club ain’t gonna die.’

Robbo is fronting the money-raising share issue, pleading for more cash to be handed over. And if anyone can make himself heard around Tynecastle it’s him.

The half a million pound in the kitty so far will be enough to pay the next instalment to HMRC on December 3, but it’s vital the donations do not stop there. The stadium may have been jam-packed but first-half chances were few and far between.

Sturdy Saints had to defend for their lives at times during a tough 45 minutes.

But despite the home side piling on the pressure they didn’t carve out any real openings.

Danny Grainger forced a stop from keeper Craig Samson after 20 minutes. The full-back’s ball into the box flew through a ruck of bodies inside the penalty box.

But Scotland squad man Sammy reacted well at the last second to make a block.

The visitors didn’t give Jambos No1 Jamie MacDonald much to do before the break either. Saints striker Steven Thompson had a couple of half-chances. First he did well to roll Marius Zaliukas inside the box but slipped before he could get his shot away.

Then he sliced a shot high over the crossbar after good set-up play from Gary Teale.

Tackles started to fly in thick and fast after the break which raised the tempo of the game.

Andy Webster required treatment after he was caught by striker Thompson.

Buddies skipper Jim Goodwin was then fortunate to escape a booking at least for shoving youngster Jason Holt as he prepared to take a free-kick.

Both bosses stood on the touchline contemplating how to influence the game in their favour.

And it was Gorgie gaffer John McGlynn who made the change which turned things.

Callum Davidson was subbed on the hour mark and replaced with Arvydas Novikovas. Hearts had just won a free-kick when Goodwin had brought down Webster.

With his first touch of the ball Novikovas rolled it to Grainger who rattled a left-footed shot at goal.

Kenny McLean broke from the wall to charge the ball down but the ball clipped off him and looped horribly over Samson.

Tynecastle erupted with Grainger celebrating in style by sucking his thumb in a tribute to his baby son.

Hearts almost added No2 in 72 minutes when Ryan Stevenson had a shot blocked inside the six yard box.

The home fans screamed for a penalty, claiming the ball struck Goodwin’s arm but referee Bobby Madden waved away the appeals.

A minute later Saints came close to levelling from a free-kick. McLean smashed a decent effort with his left-foot but keeper MacDonald saved well.

The visitors came closer still after winning a corner with 12 minutes left. Sub Dougie Imrie delivered the ball into the box which Marc McAusland attacked — only for his powerful header to be cleared off the line by kid Jason Holt.

Hearts were in real danger of throwing away their lead as Saints pushed forward. Slack defending from Webster was pounced on by Thompson who set up McLean but this time he pulled his shot wide of the target.

Hearts were hanging on but with five minutes to go, passed up a great chance to seal victory.

Sub Andy Driver caught David van Zanten on the ball and raced through on goal only to slide his shot the wrong side of the post with only Samson to beat.