Hearts 4 Ross County 2: Stevenson revival another example of the unexpected at work

Scott Mullen
Monday 8 April 2013

Twelve months ago, Ryan Stevenson probably was the last person one would have expected to lead a revival charge but, after the past year, many have come to expect the unexpected where Hearts are concerned.

Saturday's victory over Ross County – a win that drags manager Gary Locke's side up to the heady heights of 10th, just three points behind city rivals Hibernian– signalled a landmark day for the 28-year-old Stevenson as he was made captain for the first time at the Tynecastle club.

After returning in the summer, following an unsuccessful season at Ipswich Town, the former Ayr United man is determined to accentuate the positive, no matter how small.

"I would never have imagined I'd come back here and be captain," he said. "I think for us the target is to finish seventh, regardless of where Hibs are. I keep hearing that they have had a great season, but we're only three points behind them. It says a lot about how tight the league is."

It also says a lot about the quality and value Ross County have added to the SPL this season that they are still riding high in fifth place as both Edinburgh clubs scrap it out for seventh.

The Dingwall side have had to revaluate their expectations after a run of three defeats on the bounce has ranked them outsiders in a bid to land a Europa League place in their maiden season in Scotland's top flight. However, the last three games will do little to diminish the respect gleaned from a truly marvellous campaign.

Derek Adams, the Ross County manager, watched his side outplay an inexperienced Hearts team for most of Saturday's match, only to be stung by a forgetful five minutes in which the hosts nicked three goals that came against the run of play.

Adams himself has claimed that the chance of continen-tal competition has gone for his men, however, Mihael Kovacevic, part of the County backline that surrendered at Tynecastle, is less than convinced.

"We have done well to get into the top six, we've still been doing well, but we need to forget that five-minute period and enjoy our last five games," he said. "We need to try and get to Europe if we can. It's still possible. There is a points difference, but we've gone on a good run before and we can do it again. I believe we can do it."

As Hearts and Stevenson showed on Saturday, where there's a will, there's generally a way. Kovacevic will hope to follow their example.

Taken from the Herald