Hearts star Andy Driver hits form as boss John McGlynn opts for new formation

17 Dec 2012 08:37

By Craig Swan

THE Jambos winger is looking for a new lease of life under McGlynn who has chosen the 4-4-2 formation for the second match running and Driver insists he can benefit from it.
Andy Driver, left, with John Sutton Andy Driver, left, with John Sutton

CHRISTMAS has come early for Andrew Driver but whether that will continue into the New Year will be decreed by boss John McGlynn’s formations and owner Vladimir Romanov’s finances.

The Hearts manager’s 4-4-2 formation for the second successive match released the winger to wreak havoc, and he created John Sutton’s opener then netted himself before half-time.

The Hearts boss bemoaned his team’s lack of goals just a few weeks ago yet, with Sutton superb as an old-fashioned No.9, they looked like scoring every time they went up the pitch.

Had Sutton won one more aerial contest with Saints centre-back pairing of David McCracken and Tam Scobbie, he’d have got them to keep.

It was relentless and brought him an opener with a stellar header from a Driver free-kick before his head-flick allowed the winger to make it 2-1.

Sutton’s ability to come short, hold it up, win free-kicks to get his team up the park and release Callum Paterson and Driver in wider positions breathed life into the Jambos.

Driver said: “It gives us options. I like it and, if we keep getting results, we might keep going that way.”

Yet something has to give and this is McGlynn’s dilemma. Darren Barr was shielding the back four so when he went off injured at the break there was no one to protect Andy Webster and Marius Zaliukas who were given a torrid time by Saints’ Rowan Vine and Steven MacLean, both of whom scored to give Steve Lomas’s team a point.

Zaliukas was not able to cut out a Gary Miller cross just seconds after Sutton’s opener and Vine was alert to react to the Lithuanian’s misdirected header and bundle the ball home.

Hearts were again laid bare on the hour when Murray Davidson crossed for MacLean to steer the ball in and cancel out the Driver counter.

For months, Hearts have been solid while struggling for goals. Now, they are the opposite and this provides McGlynn’s dilemma.

While Driver is keen for the boss to stick with his current system, he hopes Romanov does the same off the park. Having had their wages deferred again last month, the squad are now paid up to date.

Driver said: “Last year we were struggling at Christmas but this takes us through another month.

“The share issue is vital but you have to be careful about asking the fans for too much. We are all grateful to them and I hope they know we appreciate it.”

Taken from the Daily Record