Neilson denies Dee feud after feisty finish
HEARTS 2
Halliday (35), Gnanduillet (58)
DUNDEE 1
Cummings (63 pen)
Robbie Neilson insists he has no grudge with Dundee counterpart James Mcpake after Hearts emerged victorious from another feisty clash between the sides, with the enmity on the pitch matched by the discord in the dugouts.
The managers had a visible disagreement in the immediate aftermath of the Jambos’
2-1 triumph, which was sealed courtesy of goals from Andy Halliday and Armand Gnanduillet.
Jason Cummings did ensure a nervous finale for the home side with a second-half penalty before referee Don Robertson was again in the spotlight, dismissing Peter Haring for a lunge on Declan Mcdaid late on.
The full-time whistle saw the bosses engage in an extended, testy conversation on the Tynecastle turf. Former Hearts and Hibs’ captains; a former Dundee United boss and current Dundee manager – no love lost.
“It’s just two managers desperate to win and two teams going for the league,” said Neilson. “At Tynecastle, where you’re a yard-and-ahalf away from each other and everyone wants every decision, there’s always a wee bit of edge.
“But once the final whistle goes, that’s it done.”
Asked whether the argument stemmed from Haring’s contentious sending-off, Mcpake said: “No, there are other reasons.” He chose not to elaborate.
He could not, however, resist a slight nibble, adding: “Robbie was already out shouting ‘it’ll be rescinded’ so obviously he can see into the future.”
Yet prior to the nippy finale, both sides served up a fine spectacle.
Hearts were the width of the woodwork away from opening the scoring courtesy of Halliday, albeit he was attempting a deep cross which caught the wind and kissed the post.
However, the former Rangers man was not to be denied on 35 minutes. He timed his run into the box to perfection and headed home his fifth goal of the campaign, converting a Gnanduillet delivery.
Dundee almost restored immediate parity, with Paul Mcgowan rattling the crossbar with a sumptuous volley before Paul Mcmullan headed the admittedly awkward rebound over the bar. Gary Mackay-steven produced a contender for miss of the season after the break when – tasked with tapping a Gnanduillet pass into an empty net following a swift break – he scuffed a woeful “shot” into the arms of Hamilton.
But Hearts did double their advantage when Gnanduillet fired beyond Jack Hamilton at the second time of asking following a Mackay-steven cross.
But rather than collapse
– as they did, like a house of cards, in their 6-2 defeat in Gorgie on the opening day of the Championship season – Dundee swiftly halved arrears.
Former Hibs star Cummings was the scorer, coolly slotting home from the penalty spot after Max Anderson was felled by Mihai Popescu.
And not for the first time this campaign, Hearts were indebted to their goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, for brilliantly denying Osman Sow and Jonathan Afolabi late on, ensuring the Jambos held firm to go 15 points clear.
There was, however, late drama as substitute Haring – barely on the pitch for 60 seconds – was dismissed for a studs-up challenge on Mcdaid.
Neilson added: “I thought it was a yellow at the time.
I will have a look at it and make a decision (regarding an appeal).”