Classy Greeks gift Jambos the win
HEARTS turned on the style to rout Rangers in midweek.
Against Motherwell, they proved they have the substance to match.
A deflected Alex Tziolis strike and a double from Esmael Goncalves eventually saw off the ’Well as the Jam Tarts notched their first back-to-back wins of Ian Cathro’s reign.
But they were made to battle by Mark McGhee’s dogged Steelmen, who provided stiff opposition until Carl McHugh’s controversial sending off.
McGhee insisted that decision cost his side the game.
But his opposite number claimed his reinvented side’s approach was worthy of the three points.
“The red card changed some things, but we have to give a lot of credit to Motherwell because it didn’t change too much,” said Cathro. “The game kept the same sort of flow.
“We would have the ball, we would try to break Motherwell down, and they would attack quickly.
“They were a threat and when they had a little bit of momentum with some set pieces, they remained a threat.
“Maybe we could have managed that a little bit better, but we managed to keep attacking and that gave us the goals in the end.
“It has been a good week. We’ve had two wins.
“But the most pleasing thing is the feeling amongst the players, the togetherness.
“We recognise that we have brought new people into the room. But everybody approached all of the work with open minds and open arms and everybody is together.”
Hearts enjoyed the lion’s share of possession early on, with Tziolis pulling the strings just in front of the back four.
The 62 times capped Greek international’s CV looks impressive on paper. After all, not many Scottish Premiership players have racked up experience in the German, Spanish and French top flights.
Within seconds at Fir Park, it was clear Tziolis had been there on merit.
His fellow Greek recruit, Tasos Avlonitis, also started as Hearts’ head coach made two changes to the side that demolished Rangers in midweek.
With seven new arrivals in their