Bjorn again hitman lifts Jambos’ spirits
GIANT Hearts hitman Bjorn Johnsen believes he’s picked the perfect time to get his act together in front of goal.
The Norwegian- American striker hit two goals for the fourth-placed Jam Tarts against Motherwell yesterday – and now can’t wait to face Rangers on Wednesday night.
Hearts have had a problem with misfiring strikers this season but they may have found the solution in the 6ft 5in man from North Carolina.
He might well have had a hat-trick but saw another effort chalked off for offside in a very tight decision.
The goals doubled his total for the campaign and lifted the pressure on Tynecastle gaffer Robbie Neilson.
The striker afterwards admitted he’s still finding his feet in the Premiership but the goals have lifted his confidence.
Johnsen said: “I’m still working on my fitness.
“For Scottish football I’m probably at 80 or 85%. It takes time.
“The manager has been patient with me and it’s now paying dividends.
“I feel it’s a perfect moment to be playing likes this with the Rangers game coming up.
“Hopefully, I can produce the same performance on Wednesday.
“It will be exciting. Edinburgh will be buzzing and we know can go second if we win.”
Hearts’ performance was exactly what head coach Neilson needed.
Club owner Ann Budge gave him a vote of
confidence before that match, but that’s not always the most reassuring thing for a man in his position to hear given how trigger-happy club boards can be under pressure from supporters.
There had been a bit of grumbling down Gorgie way after a run of four matches without a victory.
The last three had been draws, but the Jambos had conceded eight goals and nervous fans were expecting the worst.
However, Johnsen’s goals and a clean sheet will have calmed nerves in the stands ahead of the visit of Mark Warburton’s men in midweek.
In fact, there was a brief cry of “bring on the Rangers” when the Edinburgh men went 3-0 ahead.
While Mrs Budge made it clear she didn’t put any pressure on Neilson at last Friday’s board meeting, she also said she’d be less than impressed with her club finishing below third place in the Premiership.
Callum Paterson started the day as jointtop league scorer with five strikes but was forced off early with a head cut.
Johnsen’s first came when he rounded Well goalkeeper Craig Samson and slid the ball home after a precise pass from Arnaud Djoum.
His second arrived via a fine header from former Kilmarnock star Robbie Muirhead’s corner kick.
He is expected to be back in the starting line-up against Rangers.
Like Paterson Jamie Walker was also on five goals before the game and added another to his tally here, exchanging passes with Djoum on the break and sliding the ball past Samson to complete the scoring.
Robbie Neilson was delighted with his side’s showing.
He said: “I was pleased about the way we performed, right from the start. Crisis over.”
He backed Johnsen to keep finding the net, adding: “You can see Johnsen is a handful even if his fitness levels aren’t what they should be at the moment.
“At the moment we are only getting 70 minutes out of him.
“When we can get the full 90 that will be something.
“But the Rangers game is a different approach, a different system to play against.”
Although Motherwell had four efforts cleared off the line – they were denied by a hat- trick of headed clearances by Faycal Rherras – manager Mark McGhee had no complaints. He said: “We were overpowered, really. “We had some efforts cleared off the line but that was down to determined defending by them.
“They did brilliantly, so all we can say is that we made some chances and didn’t take them.”