HEARTS SINK A SWIFT ONE
Jambos’ 6-minute double leaves stunned Accies punch drunk
HEARTS hit Hamilton with a deadly sixminute second-half double whammy to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 games.
Goals from Ross Callachan and David Milinkovic plus a late third from Dario Zanatta in an emphatic second-half showing saw Craig Levein’s side also chalk up an eighth clean sheet in a row.
The result was a sore one for Accies and their gaffer Martin Canning as the home side had been on top for most of the contest until they were hit by a knockout one-two.
Jambos boss Levein said: “I felt the first goal would be critical. I didn’t feel we were under much pressure so I hoped we would get it and then I was confident we would get more.
“We had to grind it out but we can do that. It wasn’t a night for great football. This is not an easy place to win and we know that.
“So to get the three points and get three goals without Esma Goncalves and Kyle Lafferty, who have scored most of our goals, was pleasing.
“I said the cup game was great but it doesn’t help us in the league. That’s maybe not 100 per cent true because I felt the confidence gained from beating Hibs would help tonight.”
When asked about the possible signing of Copenhagen winger Danny Amankwaa and departure of Goncalves to Uzbekistani side Pakhtakor Tashkent, Levein added: “With Amankwaa we are interested and we have spoken to his club. So you can take what you like from that.
“I can’t really say anything about Goncalves. He is part of the squad at the moment. Will he be at the weekend? I don’t know.”
Hamilton were beginning life without Greg Docherty as the midfielder was putting the finishing touches on his move to Rangers.
Mikey Devlin also looks set to quit after Accies agreed a deal with Preston subject to the player agreeing personal terms.
But it wasn’t all bad news as Greek striker Marios Ogboe was handed his debut, having joined from OFI Crete earlier in the day.
Levein threw 17-year-old winger Andy Irving into the fray for his debut in a Hearts starting line-up that featured nine Scots.
The away side almost got off to the perfect start. Steven Naismith found Demi Mitchell wide left but the on-loan Manchester United man drilled the ball across goal and wide.
Accies squandered a great chance after 15 minutes. Danny Redmond picked up the ball on the edge of the box and raced through but Jon McLaughlin saved his low shot.
Jambos midfielder Callachan copped the first caution on the half hour after he cemented Dougie Imrie.
Levein made a switch at half-time, replacing Harry Cochrane with Djoum then threw on Milinkovic for Lewis Moore after 61 minutes.
The breakthrough arrived five minutes later against the run of play. Xavier Tomas dithered on the edge of his area and was dispossessed by Naismith.
He drove the ball across the face of goal and Callachan fired into the empty net.
The Jambos doubled their lead after 73 minutes when sub Milinkovic sprang the offside trap and kept his cool to slot a sidefooted effort past Gary Woods.
There was still time for Milinkovic to turn provider when he crossed from the left for fellow sub Zanatta to ran home a low drive.
Accies boss Canning said: “I didn’t see that coming. I thought we were the better team but it’s the same old, same old. Crazy mistakes are costing us.
“I thought we would win the game. I wasn’t even thinking about a point and individual mistakes are costing us dear.
“Docherty’s loss is a blow. He’s been a productive player for us and a big goal threat but this club’s ethos is not to stand in a player’s way.
“Greg will do well at Ibrox. He’s got all the attributes. He’s level-headed, he’s creative, he scores goals and has a bright future in front of him. It’s great to see him have that opportunity and I hope he takes it.”