SOUTTAR STARS
Comeback man John steals show for Hearts
TWO of Hearts’ key summer signings made it onto the scoresheet in their straightforward victory — but it was the return of John Souttar to competitive action that was the greatest source of joy for assistant boss Austin MacPhee.
The 20-year-old defender had not played since suffering an Achilles injury against Celtic in January.
However, he strolled through his 45-minute return, setting up Kyle Lafferty for the opening goal before being taken off at half-time.
Playing at the heart of a back three alongside Jordan McGhee and returning captain Christophe Berra — who headed the second goal — Souttar was encouraged to get Hearts playing, a task he accepted with relish as Ian Cathro’s side chalked up a second successive Betfred League Cup win.
‘John was probably the biggest thing to take from this game, especially given the way we want to play,’ said MacPhee. ‘He gives us so much comfort on the ball and is really good to watch.
‘He has had 45 minutes of competitive football now and that bodes well for the future.’
If poor recruitment was one of the biggest complaints regarding Cathro’s first months in charge at Hearts, the signs are that the club has significantly raised its game in the current window.
Lafferty led the line well and, although he missed a few chances, was happy to take the penalty that sealed victory over Darren Young’s League One part-timers.
A current Scotland international, Berra is a known quantity and as close to a sure thing as Hearts could find on the market, but the two other new boys to start also did well.
MacPhee doubles as a member of the Northern Ireland coaching staff and was instrumental in persuading Lafferty to sign. That connection has also brought international wingback Michael Smith to the club.
A replacement for Callum Paterson — now at Cardiff — Smith foraged well on the right, as did Rafal Grzelak on the other side.
If Cathro’s team remains a work in progress, then it seems entirely appropriate they should be playing in front of a building site.
All vestiges of the club’s old Main Stand have now disappeared, with the skeleton of its replacement acquiring new bones by the day.
If the September opening date looks a mite optimistic, there is a contingency in place to stage a handful of home games at Murrayfield.
Regardless, the new structure promises to be worth the wait, its outline in keeping with the steep, imposing banks of seating that have made Tynecastle arguably the most atmospheric league venue in Scotland.
Smith perhaps ought to have claimed his first goal for the club with a shot that crashed back off the post but Berra and, most of all Lafferty, were also guilty of wastefulness as they missed with free headers early on.
Souttar was enjoying the opportunity to stroll out of defence unchallenged and his fine delivery helped break the deadlock after 22 minutes, Lafferty rising to send the ball back across goal and inside the post.
There was little prospect of Hearts maintaining their fluency amid a dramatic second-half downpour and East Fife came close on more than one occasion, first when goalkeeper Jack Hamilton was forced to make a diving save to deny Paul Willis, then later as Kyle Wilson hit the side net.
Hearts retained menace, often through Jamie Walker, who was withdrawn to acclaim from a home support hoping he will not be lured away before the transfer window closes at the end of next month.
Hearts’ lead was eventually doubled from a set-piece in the 70th minute. Substitute Malaury Martin provided the assist with a corner that Berra headed home for the first goal of his second spell at the club.
Having been cautioned for his part in a spot of aggro with Hearts sub Cole Stockton, East Fife defender Ben Gordon was red-carded by referee Nick Walsh for clipping Isma Goncalves in the box.
The Portuguese might have hoped to open his season account from the penalty spot but he was not up quickly enough to even consider challenging Lafferty for the ball.
The former Rangers man tucked it away to conclude a comfortable win.
‘There has been a lot said about Kyle, some of it by Kyle himself,’ said MacPhee. ‘Tynecastle can be a difficult place for strikers to play but if he misses a chance, he will always go back for more.’