Jambos snatch a last-gasp point
ROBBIE NEILSON has backed Callum Paterson to torment the Auld Enemy after watching the towering defender rescue a point for Hearts against St Johnstone.
The 22-year-old was the hero for the Jambos, powering home a header to salvage a 2- 2 draw from a breathless contest at Tynecastle.
It was Paterson’s sixth goal of the season and he proves himself to be one of the most dangerous physical presences in Scottish football when attacking set pieces.
Having usurped Alan Hutton at rightback for the national side, his attention will now turn to Scotland’s crunch World Cup qualifier against England on Friday night as Gordon Strachan’s men attempt to stun England.
His effort cancelled out goals from Danny Swanson and Chris Kane, with Prince Buaben opening the scoring for Hearts, and if the men in pink get a corner kick in London, there is no one Neilson would rather see attacking it than Paterson.
He lauded: “I would definitely be putting him in, if we get a set- play at Wembley he’s the man you want in there. Believe me, no matter who you are playing against he’ll score goals.
“Hopefully he plays. It’s up to Gordon [Strachan] but I think he has played well the last two games. So I don’t see why he wouldn’t be in it. Callum hasn’t got me a ticket, so I’ll be watching it on TV!
“Callum is our main threat at the moment. He gives us goals at set plays and in open play as well. He’s a big threat, but we just need to get into our stride striking-wise and scoring goals.”
Paterson’s effort capped a grandstand finale to a breathless contest which was packed with golden opportunities and plenty of controversy.
Hearts claimed the lead in contentious fashion through Buaben.
Don Cowie saw his drive from inside the box deflected on to the crossbar, however the rebound fell perfectly for the Ghanaian midfielder. His header was desperately blocked by Brian Easton – but the ball was deemed to have crossed the line.
“Easty thinks he has stopped it, but sometimes players will tell you what you want to hear!” smiled Saints boss Tommy Wright. “We’ll need to wait and see what
Sportscene can come up with! Maybe they will have one of those fancy things that tell you . . . we don’t have that at St Johnstone.”
However, Swanson came back to haunt his former employers, latching on to a sublime Steven MacLean pass before dispatching a super finish beyond Hamilton to restore parity just before the break.
Swanson, a boyhood Hibs fan despite his stint at Hearts, then celebrated by running in front of the Main Stand, rubbing his belly in response to taunts about his weight from some fans.
There was no let-up in the action after the break, with David Wotherspoon forcing a wonderful save from Hamilton, before rattling the inside of the post with a whipped free-kick.
The Perth side did finally claim the lead through substitute Kane, who was able to meet a Wotherspoon cut-back and fire a tame shot beyond Hamilton – only for Paterson to power home a dramatic equaliser to ensure a share of the spoils.
Goal hero Paterson added: “It was frustrating. We’re happy not to have lost but not really satisfied with a point.”