Hearts in no mood to suffer Hampden hangover
GIVEN the magnitude of their Scottish Cup triumph against Hibernian last weekend, there was always a danger that Hearts’ return to league business could become somewhat after the Lord Mayor’s show.
This is the Championship, remember. A brilliantly chaotic league where teams can be caught out when they least expect it.
For the most part at Tynecastle yesterday, Robbie Neilson’s men coped well with the challenge from Inverness Caley Thistle.
Second-half goals from Steven Naismith and Liam Boyce — last week’s extra-time hero for Hearts in their semi-final at Hampden — seemed to ensure a comfortable afternoon in Gorgie.
But a late goal from Aaron Doran made this an edgy ending. Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who will now join up with the Scotland squad ahead of their Euro 2020 play-off final in Serbia on Thursday and the Nations League games in Slovakia and Israel, had been rarely threatened.
Still, it was job done for Hearts and that is all they can ask for as they aim to return to the Premiership following their controversial relegation last season.
It is three wins from their opening three matches — seven in all competitions — and they sit in third place, a point behind Raith Rovers and Dunfermline with a game in hand.
‘I was a bit worried coming into this game after the high of last week,’ said Neilson. ‘All the energy that got expelled last Saturday — and even the days after that — was going to take its toll.
‘The main thing was getting three points and getting another win. That’s three out of three in the league and it sets us up for Tuesday (Betfred Cup tie at East Fife).
‘It was a pleasing day. Towards the end, they went gung-ho and got the goal and put us under pressure. But if our quality had been better, we’d have probably got another.
‘We spoke when I first came in about getting a winning mentality, especially after last season, when we only won four games all season. So to almost double that in the first couple of months is very pleasing.’
While Hearts can look forward to next month’s Scottish Cup final against Celtic, the league will always be the priority this season.
Jordan Roberts and Jamie Walker both limped off at Hampden, meaning Peter Haring — making his first start in 18 months — and Naismith returned to the team.
There was also a welcome sight on the bench as Christophe Berra made his return from injury.
Before kick-off, a minute’s silence was held to remember former Tynecastle captain Marius Zaliukas, who tragically died last weekend aged just 36, and to mark Remembrance Sunday.
‘Hearts’ affiliation with McCrae’s Battalion always makes this a very poignant day,’ noted Neilson. ‘I’ve been here as a player 13-14 years and a manager for four or five and I always think it’s important we get a result on a day like this.
‘It’s important because of McCrae’s Battalion but doubly so because of Marius. We had the service on Thursday for him and everybody at the club was hurting this week after the semi-final.’
Inverness boss and ex-Hearts striker John Robertson also poignantly laid a wreath outside the stadium in tribute to Zaliukas.
Hearts didn’t take long to threaten when Boyce missed two good chances within quick succession.
It looked set to be the perfect move after 10 minutes, with Andy Halliday slipping the ball through to Stephen Kingsley on the left side of the box. Unfortunately for Boyce, the cutback was just behind him, otherwise it would have been a simple finish.
Looking to make amends immediately, the Northern Irishman met Naismith’s header back across the six-yard box but couldn’t direct it goalwards.
However, less than 90 seconds after the restart, Hearts took the lead when Kingsley’s delivery from the left found Naismith, whose volley found the corner of the net.
To Inverness’ credit, they kept battling and right-back Wallace Duffy threatened an equaliser with a shot at the back post.
Neilson introduced Andy Irving in place of Haring, which was unsurprising given his lack of game time and the fact he was also on a yellow card from the first half.
Any nerves among the home ranks were eased on 70 minutes when Naismith’s cut back from the right found Boyce, who finished with an excellent flick.
It was a good day’s work before he heads to play a part in Northern Ireland’s Euro 2020 play-off final against Slovakia on Thursday.
Aidy White almost made it 3-0 but his shot struck the crossbar.
Just when Hearts thought they could breathe, Caley Thistle pulled a goal back with four minutes left, substitute Doran meeting a cross to glance a header beyond Gordon.
‘In the first half, my youngsters matched Hearts,’ said Robertson. ‘But we weren’t much of a threat in the last third. We got the goal and Hearts were hanging on.’
Paying tribute to Zaliukas, Robertson added: ‘To hear the news of his death knocked me for six last Saturday.
‘The club put down a wreath. It’s just so sad. He was a wonderful guy with a wicked sense of humour.’