First-half goal blitz does trick for Jambos
hearts 3 Lafferty 17, Naismith 21, Souttar 44 partick thistle 0
Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald admitted a woeful defensive display at Tynecastle was the catalyst for his side’s heavy defeat to Hearts.
The result was all but sealed by half-time after the Jags put up little resistance in conceding goals to Kyle Lafferty, Steven Naismith and John Souttar.
Northern Ireland international Lafferty’s 17th of the season was well worked but Baily Cargill was caught out for Naismith’s strike before Thistle failed to deal with a long throw that was converted by Souttar.
The Maryhill outfit are now only three points clear of basement side Ross County and Archibald knows exactly where they need to improve.
He said: “Off the back of a good clean sheet and organised performance last week against Aberdeen, we weren’t anywhere near it and the start killed us.
“The game was dead and buried by half-time.
“They were at home, off the back of a defeat in the derby and we knew what was coming but we didn’t heed the warnings.
“It was individual errors mixed with an overall poor display, especially in the first 15,20 minutes when it looked like the goal was coming - and we didn’t address that, which was bitterly disappointing.
“It was individual errors and it kills you. A lot of teams will play poorly but it’s important you stay in the game and you can’t give teams goals, especially good sides.”
Archibald, whose team are back in Edinburgh following the international break when they travel to Hibs, added: “You never want to go into the break on a bad performance and a bad defeat.”
Hearts’ Scottish Cup aspirations were dashed and had their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League all but ended during a five-game winless run ahead of yesterday’s clash, but manager Craig Levein vowed that their season would not fizzle out.
And his players showed that they were not about to down tools after storming to a threegoal lead by half-time.
There has already been plenty of warning signs for Thistle before Lafferty broke the deadlock in the 17th minute.
A flowing move initiated by the impressive Joaquim Adao and involving Don Cowie and Naismith set the Northern Ireland internationalist free and Lafferty coolly rolled the ball through the legs of Tomas Cerny.
The hosts doubled their lead five minutes later with a goal that was easily avoidable.
Adao charged down a clearance from the dithering Baily Cargill and his pass into the six-yard box was clipped into the net by Naismith.
Hearts were cheering again a minute before the interval as Souttar found the net.
The defender raced on to Michael Smith’s long throw in the six-yard box and turned a first-time shot past Cerny.
Thistle manager Alan Archibad made a double half-time change by introducing Adam Barton and Andy Mccarthy and the visitors put up a better fight for the second 45 minutes.
Chris Erskine shot over within minutes of the restart, while Miles Storey had an even better chance.
Marcus Godinho’s slip was pounced on by the forward but goalkeeper Jon Mclaughlin showed why he was included in the Scotland squad after making a block with his legs.
Mclaughlin then had to look lively to keep out a Storey header from close range in what was a goalless second half.