Hearts 0 Liverpool XI 1: Late lunge on Callum Tapping leaves Gary Locke fearing the worst as youngster is stretchered off

Gordon Parks

28 Jul 2013 09:18

TYNECASTLE boss sweats over fitness of 20-year-old midfielder after Liverpool clash boils over.

HEARTS were hit with a double whammy after Scotland Under-21 star Callum Tapping was stretchered off during their pre-season defeat to Liverpool.

A Kris Peterson strike was enough to sink the Tynecastle side in their final preparation game ahead of Sunday's Premiership opener at St Johnstone.

But it was the second-half injury to Tapping, who was left holding his knee in agony after a lunge by Jordan Lussey, that has left boss Gary Locke sweating.

The manager said: "I'm hoping Callum's going to be okay but we'll need to wait 24 hours to see what the damage is.

"He has suffered a bang on the knee during a nasty tackle and we were fearing the worst.

"When you see a stretcher coming on then your heart is in your mouth but I'm optimistic he'll be okay.

"He's been up walking about in the dressing-room which is always a good sign.

"Today was a competitive game and similar to an SPL match in that there were loads of tackles flying in."

Jambos boss Locke also praised St Johnstone for their gesture of donating £1 from every away ticket sold in next weekend's curtain raiser to aid the Gorgie side's financial struggles.

He added: "I didn't know they were doing that but it really is a terrific gesture. It's great the way everyone has rallied around our football club and a big thank you goes to St Johnstone.

"From what I can gather there will be a large travelling Hearts support going to Perth so I want to thank St Johnstone for that."

The defeat by a Liverpool side that consisted of youth and reserve players as well as £1,000,000 new boy Jaoa Teixiera from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon has to be put into context.

It was a match that provided another start for Callum Paterson after a lengthy lay-off and the striker lacked a clinical touch early on after racing clear on a Ryan Stevenson pass, only to shoot straight at keeper Ryan Fulton.

Both sides continued to squander chances until Liverpool were left with a sense of grievance after being denied what looked a good goal on the hour.

Dan Trickett Smith's downward header from Nacho's corner crossed the line only for play to be waved on as keeper Jamie McDonald hoofed the ball clear.

However, justice was served in 64 minute and there was no dubiety about the quality of the strike as Peterson sold the Jambos defence a dummy with a super turn and finish low into the corner.

It was a moment that sparked the friendly into life and Stevenson was involved in an ugly spat with Jordan Rossitter. The incident saw both players replaced in an attempt to take the heat out of the incident.

Next it was Tapping's turn to be on the end of a reckless challenge from Lussey that left him writhing about in agony as both sets of players looked on in concern before he was carried from the pitch.

Jambos skipper Danny Wilson admitted the loss of the former Spurs player is something his side can ill afford.

Wilson said: "Callum was sitting with an ice pack but I think it's okay. It looks like it was just a shock as much as anything else. He's done brilliantly in pre-season. We're down to the bare bones already.

"Liverpool's Under-21s probably had a bigger squad than we do but we know fine well the situation we're in. There's no use in us complaining."

The match allowed Wilson to say his proper goodbyes to some familiar faces from his time at Anfield and the defender admits the financial clout between his old and new clubs is night and day.

He said: "It's a different ball game financially. They've got players out there who would probably get into most SPL sides.

"They're in the U-21s down there but it was a good test.

"They moved the ball around really well. We played on Thursday night and early on Saturday so it was good to get some more miles in the legs.

"I've not had four or five games like the other guys but I feel good.

"If the manager thinks I'm ready, I feel ready to do a job.

"If we can get a result it gets us off to a good start.

"It's going to be tough and there will be some games we won't win but we need to take it one game at a time and chip away as much as possible into the deduction.

"Hopefully we can make ourselves competitive."

Taken from the Daily Record