Hearts 2 Dundee United 1

Jambos boss keen for troops to leapfrog city rivals over festive period
24 Dec 2012 08:35

Garry McConnachie

RESURGENT Hearts could overtake Hibs during the Christmas matches and he's delighted their in such a position after a period of uncertainty enveloped the club.
Hearts boss John McGlynn urges his side on during the win over Dundee United Hearts boss John McGlynn urges his side on during the win over Dundee United

JOHN McGLYNN last night warned Hibs to mind the gap – because high-flying Hearts now have them in their sights.

The Jambos climbed into the top six in the SPL as a Ryan Stevenson double in the first half took their recent record to just one defeat in their last seven games.

Rudi Skacel made an emotional return to Tynecastle for the first time since quitting last summer but left followers of his new club fuming by applauding Hearts fans who chanted his name for 60 seconds on the 51st minute.

However, the travelling support should have saved their ire for their defence as more ropey rearguard antics cost United a chance to leapfrog Aberdeen in fourth.

Defender Keith Watson swivelled to fire his side a lifeline 10 minutes into the second half – after a sclaffed Skacel effort – but Andy Webster and Co held out as Peter Houston’s side continue to be dogged by inconsistency.

Hearts have not had their worries to seek off the park this season but things are coming good on it and they now trail their capital rivals by only three points after Pat Fenlon’s side drew 1-1 at Kilmarnock earlier in the day.

McGlynn now wants the ideal gift for Hearts fans this festive season – the chance to look down on their arch-enemies, maybe even before the sides clash again at Gorgie on January 3.

McGlynn said: “The SPL is a crazy league this year and we’ve not yet been as consistent as others in terms of going on an unbeaten run.

“St Johnstone went on one, Aberdeen too, and Hibs and Inverness have been flying, yet we’re not behind too far behind many of those teams.

“Unbeaten runs are fine but only if you pick up three points does it really make a big difference.

“We’re delighted to have climbed into the top six, we hope we can go to Kilmarnock on Wednesday with a feelgood factor and some confidence.

“We’d like to be in a position come January 3 where a win would put us ahead of Hibs. I can’t control what Hibs do before that but it’s what we do will that will determine where we finish.

“The derby will definitely mean something but if the gap is even closer by the time we meet it might mean even more.

Roy Wood and Wizzard wish it could be Christmas every day but, then again, they never followed Scottish football in the depths of December.

The wind was blowing colder than the seat on Santa’s sleigh and the gift of giving was alive in the generosity of spirit shown by United’s defence in the first half.

United central defender Brian McLean made a hash of the opener in 16 minutes from start to finish as his weak defensive clearance was nodded back into the box by Dylan McGowan.

Hearts take the lead via Ryan Stevenson's cool finish Hearts take the lead via Ryan Stevenson's cool finish

McLean them allowed himself to be bullied off the ball by John Sutton and when the ball broke to Stevenson off Gavin Gunning he picked his spot from eight yards past Radoslaw Cierzniak.

United immediately tried to respond but Jamie MacDonald threw himself to his left to deny Jon Daly’s volley from a Barry Douglas free-kick and McLean missed the chance to make amends by knocking the loose ball off the post.

United’s players showed arguably greater technique on the ball, but there was a resilience and determination from the Jambos they struggled to match.

United were also masters of their own downfall defensively – and after half an hour it was Willo Flood’s turn to err as he pulled Dylan McGowan in the box as the Aussie tried to control a Stevenson flick off a throw-in from brother Ryan.

Ryan Stevenson celebrates after firing Hearts ahead Ryan Stevenson celebrates after firing Hearts ahead

Referee Craig Thomson pointed straight at the spot with nary a word of protest and Stevenson made it three goals in two games when he stepped up to send Cierzniak the wrong way from 12 yards.

United rallied after the break and Watson spun to fire his side back into the game when he controlled a wayward Skacel effort before firing high past MacDonald from 10 yards.

Thereafter, United controlled the bulk of possession, but Webster and Zaliukas stood strong in the centre of the home defence and Hearts were always a danger on the counter.

Webster himself, Gordon Smith and sub Calum Paterson all came close.

But in the fourth minute of injury time Johnny Russell had a great chance to fire his side level, but volleyed over the top when a first touch would have served him better.

McGlynn added: “We worked very hard to get the three points and maybe over the piece we deserved it.

“To be fair, United were never really out of the game. We gave them too much time on the ball at the start of the second half and it must have given them a real lift.”

Stevenson echoed the rallying call of his manager McGlynn as the Hearts goal hero revealed the Tynecastle men are ready to chase down Hibs.

And he hopes to be leading from the front now he has found his goals touch again.

Stevenson added: “It was well documented I had gone a wee spell when I hadn’t scored and hopefully I’ve now hit a little purple patch.

“Goals are a big part of my game and it’s nice to be able to help the team.

“It’s great to be back among the goals but the biggest thing is the three points coming into a
difficult period and hopefully we can use this victory as a springboard for the next two or three games.

“The three-point gap between us and Hibs is nothing really.

“Everyone has been going on about them and how well they’re doing but we’re not doing too badly.

“It’s still disappointing to be where we are in the table because in my time at Hearts we’ve always been second and third.

“We’re looking to push up the table and we’re coming into three difficult games now – the Hibs one being the last one.

“After our recent defeat in the Scottish Cup we’ll be looking to put that right as well.”

Taken from the Daily Record