Heart of Midlothian Derby tonic needed

Driving home from Motherwell I pondered how the game was a mini version of our season – rousing support, a dreadful first half, awful individual mistakes, stirring recovery and ultimate disappointment. Watching from behind Jon Mclaughlin’s goal highlighted our issues playing out from the back, with lateral passing finally hoofed long by Christophe Berra. One of the strengths Demetri Mitchell has brought is in taking the ball out wide and either driving forward or linking with midfield. On another day Kyle Lafferty’s shot would have gone in and Carl Mchugh’s flown over, but it wasn’t another day.

Easter Road on Friday looks a slightly daunting prospect but a win in the derby could be just the tonic we need.

Roddy Elliott