Hearts 0 Kilmarnock 3

Killie hitman Paul's deadly treble crushes Gorgie kids

From DAVID FRIEL at Tynecastle
Published: 16th February 2013
1
THREE shots, three goals — the perfect hat-trick.

Paul Heffernan will have busier days in a Kilmarnock strip but few will be as productive as this.

The Irish hitman delivered a masterclass in finishing as the Rugby Park side ruthlessly killed off the Jambos.

Heff fired Kenny Shiels’ side ahead in the first half — and then finished the job with a clinical second-half double.

He was left to plough a lone furrow for a fair chunk of the match but came alive when it mattered.

A born poacher, the experienced hitman was in the right place at the right time as Killie moved up to fifth.

‘Can we play you every week?’ roared the jubilant away fans at the end — and no wonder.

Hearts haven’t beaten the Rugby Park side for over two years — and last won against them at Tynecastle in April 2010.

What a week this has been for Killie. Wins over Motherwell and Hearts sandwiching a last-gasp draw at Inverness.

And those seven points could be absolutely crucial come the end of the season as the race for Europe hots up.

Hearts had a let-off within the first 90 seconds when Darren Barr was short with a backpass and Heffernan nipped in. The Irish striker tried to round Jamie MacDonald but his touch was heavy and the Jambos escaped.

Hearts hogged the ball from the start and constantly looked for the huge presence of Michael Ngoo in attack.

Yet Killie were dangerous on the break and Heffernan almost connected with James Dayton’s cross in a swift counter. Callum Tapping’s surging run and centre was just too close to Killie keeper Cammy Bell as Ngoo waited to pounce in 15 minutes.

But Heffernan was also inches away from converting Ross Barbour’s superb cross as the visitors hit back.

Some of Hearts’ play was a joy to watch — with the five teenagers in their line-up all taking on massive responsibility.

One patient move ended with Fraser Mullen throwing over a deep cross, but Jamie Walker couldn’t get his header on target.

Hearts suffered a blow just after the half-hour mark when Barr and Danny Wilson crashed into each other.

Both suffered sickening head knocks as they tried to clear a long punt from Killie keeper Bell. Wilson reappeared with a bandage on his head wound but Barr received oxygen in the dressing room having been carried off after a lengthy delay.

Bizarrely, for all the good football on show, it took 40 minutes for either keeper to make a save.

Hearts’ midfielder Walker created space and tested Bell with a low drive, but Killie’s No1 was alert.

Within seconds the Jambos were behind as Killie struck with their first effort on target.

William Gros switched the play from right to left and Dayton’s touch and cross was first class.

Heffernan showed the instinct of a top poacher to sneak in between Dylan McGowan and Andy Webster to cushion a volley past MacDonald.

Ref Craig Thomson added on SIX minutes at the end of the half as a result of Barr’s injury but the Jambos couldn’t find the leveller.

McGlynn threw on John Sutton at the break and the big Englishman teamed up with Ngoo. Yet it was the lively Walker who had the first opening of the second half when he burst into the box and was sent sprawling by Momo Sissoko.

Thomson took his time before pointing for a goal-kick. It was the right decision — but the home crowd were irate.

Hearts pressed Killie back and Scott Robinson’s dipping volley was turned wide by the diving Bell in 50 minutes.

Sutton then won a free-kick on the edge of the box after tangling with Sissoko — but Bell punched Mullen’s effort to safety.

The Jambos had another penalty claim waved away by Thomson after Wilson went down under a Gros challenge.

But Killie immediately showed how dangerous they can be on the attack when Heffernan raced through the middle.

The striker released Dayton, who should have squared back to him. Instead, he went for the shot and MacDonald saved.

Hearts had a lot of pressure but you felt that Killie had another goal in them — and so it proved in 65 minutes.

Dayton’s deep corner was headed back across goal by Gros and Heffernan’s stunning first-time finish crashed high into the net.

The Jambos almost hit back instantly when Ngoo climbed highest to nod a header towards goal but Bell clawed the effort off the line.

And Killie finished the game in 71 minutes with another poacher’s strike from Heffernan.

Borja Perez was allowed to race through on goal and MacDonald could only parry his effort into the path of Heffernan.

Given the form he is in, the Killie hitman was never going to miss as he completed his treble to claim the match ball.