John's satisfaction

24.11.2012

John McGlynn was satisfied with his players' efforts as his Hearts side battled to a draw against Motherwell in today's Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter at Fir Park.

The goalkeepers were the victors as both sides recorded a clean sheet, with Hearts coming closest through Ryan Stevenson's early free kick and Ryan McGowan's 94th minute header, with the Australian just failing to direct his effort on target.

Speaking after the match, John reflected on his satisfaction with the performance of his team, although he regretted that they never made their first-half dominance count.

"There wasn't a lot of action but a lot of effort. Both teams played on the counter attack, we played better in the first half and maybe should have made our advantage count".

The major talking point of the match came in the 14th minute when, after a deflected Darren Barr strike, 'Well keeper Darren Randolph jumped to catch the ball and appeared to take a fly kick at Callum Paterson, pole-axing the young striker in an incident missed by the referee.

An unhappy John didn't criticise the goalkeeper for his actions, but did admit he felt that the Irish goalie got lucky.

"I don't think Randolph was being malicious, but I think he may have gotten lucky. I haven't seen the incident again, but I don't think his leg had to go where it did. Callum's passed the keeper's knee, and he's still been hit. It would have changed the whole course of the game".

Finally, in a game of blood and snotters and 100% commitment, Callum Paterson and Danny Grainger both appeared to take a variety of knocks, with the left-back having to be replaced early in the second half.

John revealed the extent of the injuries suffered by both players. "Callum's got a very sore head. The doctor said he was alright to play on", said the gaffer.

"Danny's hurt his knee, I don't know if it's substantial, I don't think it is. It's too early to say if he'll miss any games, but we had a contingency plan prepared in the event of Danny going off and Ryan McGowan did fine at left-back".

Hearts World