ROBBIE’S SPITTIN’ MAD
Gaffer reeling after Blair’s double
Robbie Neilson blasted sloppiness in defence that prevented Hearts f rom ta k i ng an overnight lead in the Premiership title race.
The Jambos manager was horrified to see his side throw away an early lead when Blair Spittal cancelled out Liam Boyce’s opener a minute later.
And it took a stunning second half free- kick from Stephen Kingsley to salvage a point after Spittal struck again for County.
The draw stretched Hearts’ run without defeat to six games and Neilson said: “We played really well in periods, got in some good areas and probably should have scored more.
“But we lost two scrappy goals in the first half.
“We knew with Jordan White up front that Ross County would go direct but that’s the way we lost both goals – that was the most frustrating thing.”
Staggies might still be winless under Malky Mackay but there were signs of encouragement for the manager here.
Hear ts missed injured Michael Smith whi le Alex Cochrane and Peter Haring dropped to the bench after the derby draw with Hibs. Barrie McKay earned his first start for the Tynecastle side after his move from Swansea, with Armand Gnanduillet and Taylor Moore also drafted in.
The hosts made three changes after their second-half collapse at Parkhead with a debut for on- loan Charlton Athletic keeper Ash Maynard-Brewer.
Alex Iacovitti returned from illness to replace injured Harry Clarke, while Canadian Harry Paton joined brother Ben in the starting side.
There was a minute’s applause for loyal County fan Gary Bissett who passed away last week, with the Hearts fans joining in to chant his name.
The travelling fans erupted inside nine minutes with an alltoo- easy opener. The ball was worked down the left and Gary Mackay- Steven’s pass found Boyce free on the left.
The hitman punished his old club with a crisp low finish.
The away support’s joy was short-lived, though, as County levelled within 90 seconds.
Home target man White controlled a high ball superbly and fed it back to Spittal.
His first-time strike rattled past helpless Craig Gordon and into the bottom left corner.
McKay was a threat for Hearts and it took a fine reaction save by Maynard- Brewer to beat away an Armand Gnanduillet snapshot. County’s White had to be bandaged after bleeding from a head knock following a clash with Craig Halkett.
The big striker was possibly still dazed inside 36 minutes as he passed up a glorious chance.
Ross Callachan split Hearts’ defence to send through Spittal but White, in front of goal, failed to connect with his cross.
County went close again two minutes later. Jack Burroughs’ diagonal high ball found the unmarked Callachan but he volleyed over from six yards.
Close to half-time, County got their reward and took the lead.
Regan Charles-Cook showed some great footwork on the left then dragged a perfect ball back for Spittal to smash home from 12 yards for his double.
The Hearts leveller came after Ben Paton was booked for downing Boyce 25 yards out.
In front of the Gorgie faithful, Kingsley swerved the perfect dead bal l f inish high past Maynard-Brewer to his right.
Momentum swept behind the away side as Boyce saw a shot saved then headed into the side-netting. But County nearly nicked it as sub Joseph Hungbo’s str ike was blocked then knocked over the bar by White.