Goncalves digs Hearts out of a hole
Striker’s winner lifts heat off Cathro
AFTER a lamentable run of six defeats in seven matches, Hearts finally eased the pressure on under-fire head coach Ian Cathro.
But in doing so, Esmael Goncalves’ winning goal plunged Dundee and boss Paul Hartley deeper into the relegation gloom.
Just a point off the play-offs after a sixth straight defeat, the Dens Park side look in freefall at the worst possible stage of the season.
Substitute Craig Wighton squandered a golden chance to salvage a precious point for Dundee when clear through on goal after the break.
But an upbeat Hartley refused to castigate his young forward and insisted his Dark Blues can escape from their perilous position.
‘Hearts had a lot of possession but the difference today was they took their chance and we didn’t,’ he said.
‘Craig Wighton had a great opportunity and didn’t take it. That’s what happens when it’s not going your way.
‘But Craig is a young player and I won’t criticise him. That’s not my style. He will have more chances and miss more in his career but that’s just what happens.
‘We always knew it would be tight and this situation will go down to the wire.
‘We play Hamilton at home next week and we’ve got to make sure we are ready.
‘But if performances are like that for the next six games we’ll be fine.’
Hearts were without the suspended Sam Nicholson after his red card for spitting at McDiarmid Park in midweek. Five times in the last six games Cathro’s men had failed to hit the net but their luck changed on 13 minutes.
Don Cowie, excellent throughout, played a clever ball into the path of Goncalves in the box.
The Portuguese forward evaded Paul McGowan’s slide tackle before firing a low drive beyond Scott Bain that struck Dundee captain Darren O’Dea on its way into the net.
Goncalves and Arnaud Djoum both had chances to make the game safe, the latter drawing a stunning save from Scott Bain with a thumping header from an Andraz Struna cross.
Dundee had barely threatened but it took a fine save on the stroke of half-time by Jack Hamilton to keep the score level.
The Hearts goalkeeper touched a dangerous, bouncing free-kick from Tom Hateley on to his left post.
On came Wighton after the break but after fine work closing down Krystian Nowak, the striker raced clear on goal but panicked and shanked the ball horribly wide.
As Hearts chased a killer second, Bain made a fine save after substitute Malaury Martin deflected a fierce Goncalves shot goalward.
McGowan missed a good chance to rescue a draw for Dundee in injury time but Hartley was left pleased by his defence — eight days on from losing seven goals at home to Aberdeen.
He was particularly happy with the form of debutant Dan Higgins, a midfielder playing central defence on his 19th birthday.
‘Young Higgins was excellent after being thrown in at the deep end,’ said Hartley.
‘He only got told on Friday he was playing. We got him from Celtic after he was let go around Christmas time.
‘His best position is central midfield but he’s played centreback and he was very composed today.’
Cathro was left pleased by his side’s battling qualities, which have been questioned during their woeful run.
He is now hoping this narrow victory can prove a springboard for his stuttering tenure as Hearts head coach.
‘We have to make sure this isn’t another false start, you know? It’s time to go,’ Cathro said.
‘It was more nervy than it should have been, but a lot of that is down to the run that we’ve been on and the feeling around the place.
‘But tactically we were fine. We were in the right positions and the fight — which people have questioned — was there.
‘It’s the first time we’ve dug out a 1-0 win and that’s important.’