WHINE CASTLE
Under-pressure Levein left frustrated as Jambo fans step up calls for him to quit
The build- up had been all about the Japanese Messi.
Ryo Meshino made his debut after his much- hy ped ar r ival f rom Manchester City – but he couldn’t stop it becoming another messy afternoon for Hearts boss Craig Levein.
George Oakley’s double for Hamilton gave Accies a deserved share of the points, the striker cancelling out Sean Clare and Christophe Berra goals.
The result extends Hearts’ woeful winless league run to 11 matches – a barren patch that stretches back to March 30.
Even before ref Greg Aitken blew his final whistle the natives were in full voice, with large sections chanting: “Craig Levein, we want you to go.”
Boos and obscenities rained down from the stands as players exchanged handshakes at the end.
Levein claims the squad he has assembled is the best he has worked with in his second spell in the dugout.
But that’s not reflected in results or league position.
Hearts are currently second bottom with just two points from four games.
But Levein insists he’s still the man to lead Hearts. He said: “I understand there’s a sense of frustration.
“I am not going to criticise fans for voicing their opinion but I believe I can fix this and get us up the table pretty quickly.
“Our players are more than capable of climbing the league.
“The frustrating thing is we have scored two goals at home and normally we would win.
“But our defending wasn’t good enough – that’s the bit that hurts.
“The goals we lost were rubbish.
“They were more errors on our part rather than good play by Hamilton – that’s the frustrating thing.”
Accies haven’t won in Gorgie since 1977 but there was a palpable nervousness inside the stadium from the start.
It wasn’t helped by a laboured start that suited Hamilton as Hearts had plenty of the ball but did little in the final third.
The first warning sign for Brian Rice’s side came in 12 minutes when Berra powered a header just over from Andy Irving’s corner.
Next Jake Mulraney headed in Conor Washington’s knock down after 15 minutes but his effort was chalked off for offside.
The opening goal arrived five minutes later as Hearts made good on their sustained spell of pressure. Craig Halkett drove deep into the Hamilton half and laid off to Clare inside the box. The Englishman kept his composure as he slipped a low shot under Owain Fon Williams.
Hearts had their tails up but the Accies almost level led just three minutes later.
Lewis Smith’s left-foot strike from outside the area deflected off Berra but struck keeper Colin Doyle’s elbow before going behind for a corner.
On-loan playmaker Meshino was given his debut in 31 minutes after Euan Henderson was forced off with a hip injury. He played just behind Conor Washington, with Clare moving out to the left flank.
But it was Mulraney who was involved in the next chance after Markus Fjortoft’s attempted clearance of the winger’s low cross bought out a fine save from his own keeper.
Hamilton resorted parity just five minutes after the restart with a helping hand from the Jambos.
As Oakley and Berra jostled for the ball facing the goal, Aidy White’s attempt to lend assistance backfired. The left-back’s touch fell kindly for Oakley who stabbed the ball past Doyle. Stunned Hearts regained their composure and only a only a brilliant save from Fon Williams, pushing Washington’s fierce half-volley over, kept the score level. But Berra did find the net in the 58th minute. The skipper was allowed to rise with little resistance to head home Irving’s corner. There were further warning signs for the Jambos as Blair Alston’s low drive was parried by Doyle and Mario Ogkmpoe’s rebound crashed off the bar. And Accies got their reward in the 73rd minute when Oakley’s snap-shot from 16 yards found the corner of the goal. Hamilton will feel disappointed they failed to pick up their first win in 42 years at Tynecastle. They went toe-to-toe with Hearts and fully deserved a point that piles even more pressu re on Jambos boss Levein.