It’s grudge mismatch as Jambos ease to win in opener
Jambos crush Dees to hint at one-horse race
MANY suspected the Championship could be a one-horse race this season.
But Hearts might win it by several lengths if last night’s hammering of desperate Dundee is anything to go by.
This was billed as a grudge match after Dundee’s deciding vote to end last season early sealed relegation for the Tynecastle men.
And the Jambos blew their perceived biggest challengers away with a thoroughbred performance as Stephen Kingsley hit a brilliant double and Michael Smith, Josh Ginnelly, Liam Boyce and Andy Halliday also netted.
Charlie Adam’s belter and Danny Mullen’s dink kept it respectable for Dundee but they weren’t really at the races.
As expected, Hearts boss Robbie Neilson brought back most of his big-hitters after making eight changes against Raith Rovers during the week in the Betfred Cup.
It was a returning Northern Ireland international that struck early doors, just not the one you’d expect.
Olly Lee picked out the marauding Smith, who took a touch inside the floundering Jordon Forster before slotting past former Jambos keeper Jack Hamilton with his left.
That made it 1-0 after only three minutes and 30 seconds – a touch slower than the opening goal against Raith Rovers three days previously.
Dundee responded with a long-range effort from bigname, hometown boy Adam, but Jambos keeper Craig Gordon was equal to it.
Hearts simply went again and doubled their lead, Ginnelly sending a daisycutter past Hamilton’s low dive after pulling a clearance out of the air.
McPake’s men were in danger of sinking without trace, so a moment of magic from Adam arrived just in time.
The midfielder shimmied past four men on the edge of the area before sending an unstoppable strike into the net that Gordon could only stand and watch.
Dundee’s problems were at the other end though and the home side’s two- goal advantage was swi f t ly restored. A lovely dummy by Boyce created space and the Nor thern Ire l and hitman’s str ike looked goal-bound until Dees defender Jordan Marshall blocked with his arm.
So the Hearts No.10 had to settle for scoring from the spot instead.
Dundee were desperate for the interval to come to allow them to regroup.
But they were made to suffer further when Kingsley curled a wonderful free-kick into the top corner.
At the other end Mullen saw a def l ected shot brilliantly saved by Gordon before the former St Mirren striker flashed a volley over as the Dark Blues sought a way back into the game.
He finally got his reward when Jonathan Alofabi’s blocked shot ran nicely and
Mullen coolly dinked over Gordon for 4-2.
But Hearts got the bit back between their teeth and went nap when Kingsley galloped forward to finish off a fine team move with a crisp drive into the corner.
That made it two brilliant goals from the left-back who performed just as impressively defensively and is already looking like a great bit of business.
And they weren’t quite done, as another swift break saw Jamie Walker feed Halliday, who fired across Hamilton for his first Hearts goal.
HEARTS – Gordon 7, Smith 7, Halkett 6, Popescu 6, Kingsley 9, Irving 6 (Haring 5), Lee 7, Walker 8, Ginnelly 8 (Halliday 7), Roberts 6, Boyce 7 (Wighton 5). Subs not used: White, Stewart, Naismith, Frear.
DUNDEE – Hamilton 4, Kerr 5, McGhee 5, Forster 4 (Afolabi 6), Ashcroft 5, Dorrans 5, McGowan 6, Robertson 6 (Anderson 4), Marshall 5, Adam 6, Sow 5 (Mullen 7). Subs not used: Byrne, McDaid, Ferrie, Elliot.
Referee – D Munro.