Boss backs Boyce to keep taking penalties despite double miss
Li am Boyce will continue taking penalties for Hearts despite failing to convert twice in the 3-0 win against Alloa.
Manager Robbie Neil son pointed out that the striker scored from the spot when it mattered to knock Hibs out of the Scottish Cup, and backed him to score the Edinburgh club’s next penalty. Goals from Michael Smith, Andy Halliday and Peter Haring had Hearts 3-0 ahead and cruising against Alloa at Tynecastle Park.
They won a penalty midway through the second half when Boyce was fouled by visiting defender Liam Dick.
The Northern Irish man’ s first attempt was saved by the Alloa goalkeeper Neil Parry down low to his left. When referee Grant Irvine ordered are take, Boyce stepped forward again only to send the ball skimming off the top of the crossbar.
Neilson offered the player his full backiing afterwards. “He’ll be staying on penalties. You can miss them when you’re 3-0 up, it’s when it’s 1-1 in a derby, a Scottish Cup semi-final, that the big dogs turn up,” said Neilson.
“That’s what he did, so he’ll be staying on them for next time.”
Hearts play Alloa against on
Saturday in the last 16 of the B etfred Cup at the Indo drill Stadium.
“I have told the players tonight that it will be a different game on Saturday on the astro at their place. It will be night and day compared to here,” added Neilson.
“Going to Al lo a on Sat urday will be a completely different test and we will have to find a way to win it. Alloa will be up for it after losing here tonight.”