“I know it was the right decision to come to Hearts” Stendel buoyed by power from Tynecastle stands
● Tynecastle side remain at foot of table but stirring performance gains full backing from the stands
Hearts were supposed to be falling apart, again. At least that’s what the Aberdeen supporters were claiming to the tune of Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart.
In actual fact they did the opposite. Daniel Stendel’s side hung on for what may prove a precious point despite being reduced to ten men midway through the second half.
Results elsewhere might not have helped but, whisper it for now, things could be falling into place for Stendel. He was certainly shown a lot of love from the Gorgie faithful, who played their part in ensuring he did not become the first Hearts manager to lose their first five games in charge.
They sang “One Daniel Stendel” shortly after he had been shown a yellow card by referee Alan Muir for protesting too much on the sidelines. He was a passionate presence in the technical area and his players responded well to his exhortations, specifically in the period after Sean Clare was red carded for pulling back Jon Gallagher following a swiftly taken free-kick.
Hearts were rocked back further when substitute Niall Mcginn promptly hit the resultant free-kick inside Joel Pereira’s near post to equalise Ryotaro Meshino’s outstanding opening goal shortly after half-time. But even this double setback did not faze those home players remaining on the pitch and neither did it unnerve the supporters, who stayed with the team throughout.
Stendel stressed that this reaction proved to him he has not made a mistake agreeing to join Hearts. “I think what was really important, for me, was the atmosphere in the stadium,” said the German.
“I’m concentrated on the game. But, when I feel that power from the stands, I know it was the right decision to come to Hearts. I believe that we can improve our players, our squad, before the next time we are back here.”
The Hearts fans were not asking for much. Perhaps a little passion. Turning up for training. No earphones on during warm-up. That kind of thing. They got what they were looking for here and more.
Players were contesting and winning 50-50s. Skipper Craig Halkett’s challenge on Bruce Anderson in the corner was a sign of things to come and got the fans on-side quickly. Michael Smith on Dean Campbell shortly afterwards likewise.
Hearts got the goal they deserved four minutes into the second half although it was not a result of simple industry. Rather, the goal was conjured up by Meshino after some more of the magic fans have enjoyed glimpsing since his arrival on loan from Manchester City. He picked up the ball in midfield and drove towards goal, evading Scott Mckenna en route before sending a glorious, curling finish into the top right-hand corner of Joe Lewis’ net. It made up for seeing a firsthalf shot cleared off the line by Mckenna.
Stendel was prevented by Christmas printing deadlines from mentioning the Boxing Day result against Hibs in his match programme notes. This performance was another effective way of pretending that defeat hadn’t happened. Because Hearts were nothing like the side that had fallen so meekly to their rivals only four days earlier.
They zipped into action at 2pm. Aberdeen, meanwhile, seemed to be labouring under the illusion the match had not been brought forward an hour to allow the visiting supporters plenty of time to get home.
The Hearts fans fed off the energy on display. Their appreciation was displayed in the way the players we greeted back onto the pitch after half time. Despite the score still only being 0-0 they were roared on. It felt like fans were reconnecting with the players versa. This was evident also after Clare was sent off.
Few could argue with the decision but Clare, an often-maligned figure in the past, was given a rousing ovation as he left the field – he, in turn, urged the fans to continue supporting his teammates Supporters cheering red-carded play
from the park is usually fairly objectionable behaviour – see Hibs fans earlier this month against Rangers, following Ryan Porteous’ lunge at Borna Barisic – but on this occasion, it felt understandable. After all, Clare had played well once more at right-back and had simply been caught out by Aberdeen’s quick thinking. He took one for the team, hence the acclaim.
Of course, this is only one match. And, rather than improving their situation, this hard-earned point preceded Hearts being cut further adrift at the bottom following victories by Hamilton Accies and St Mirren. But hope can still be sourced from a performance in which Hearts were a lot more mobile as well as inventive. Andy Irving pulled the strings in midfield for long stretches. Club skipper Christophe Berra was dropped to the bench and this could become a longterm situation given Clevid Dikamona’s assured display at centre-half.
Aberdeen were hampered by an injury to Zak Vyner just before half-time. The midfielder has damaged his shoulder again and could require surgery, which Derek Mcinnes fears could end the onloan Bristol City player’s season.
The manager took some comfort from a fourth point from two games in which Aberdeen have been without Sam Cosgrove, their suspended top goalscorer. Mcinnes suggested the cheers from the visiting fans that greeted struggling stand-in striker Curtis Main’s substitution ten minutes into the second half were more to do with the player coming on, the hardly world-beating James Wilson, than the one coming off. Like his team, this failed to convince.
“What was really important, for me, was the atmosphere in the stadium. When I feel that power from the stands, I know it was the right decision to come to Hearts”