New era for the Jambos gets off to a false start
“This COULD be the start of a new era.”
Viewed with the benefit of hindsight, the note of caution struck by the Tynecastle tannoy announcer should have been a warning to Hearts’ new manager Daniel Stendel.
That was pre-game.
Had he delivered his rallying message at 4.50pm it would undoubtedly have been more downbeat still.
By then the German, replacement for Craig Levein, had watched the Gorgie side beaten by a team who until yesterday hadn’t won away in the league in 2019!
They deserved their success, too.
Matt Kennedy’s corner, headed powerfully into the net by Callum Hendry, was the one standout bit of quality play in the afternoon.
“I learned a lot today. We need to work a lot harder, that is for sure,” said Stendel, who now has to try to lift his new charges ahead of the arrival of league leaders Celtic on Wednesday night.
“I think we all expected more. I can see the players want to play better.
“But they have lost that feeling and it’s very difficult to change that in one day.
“In the last third they need to be calm, it was too hectic in some situations.
“St Johnstone didn’t play well, but they had three or four big chances and that’s why they won the game.
“We need to change that feeling in the players’ mind. It’s not so easy, you can see that.
“You can see that with some players we will need more time, but others did surprise me.
“Steven MacLean you can see understands the game. And I thought Hickey did well.
“He tried to make crosses, he is a young player but he played with the most heart.
“We need more confidence in everything we do. Every player was looking to play the ball long and safe.
“That’s not what we want and I know they can play better.
“When some players come back from injury we will have more quality in our squad.
“We are all disappointed, but I hope on Wednesday we can show more.
“I know the situation isn’t easy but I hope the fans give the players more time.”
The new man made four changes from the side which lost 1-0 at Motherwell, giving Aidan Keena his first start of the season and replacing Joel Pereira in goals with Bobby Zlamal.
The Czech, Zlamal, had little time to settle with Saints winger Michael O’Halloran giving him an early scare when dancing round him just inside the Hearts box to advance on goal.
He was given a life, though, thanks to a combination of heroic defending and poor finishing: Aaron Hickey clearing O’Halloran’s too straight effort off his own goal line.
To be fair, the keeper hadn’t exactly watched idly by from his spot. By the time, Matthew Kennedy followed up with another shot he was back in place to save with his legs.
Another player introduced into the Hearts team was Aidan Keena but he struggled and it was not a huge surprise when he was switched for Ryotaro Meshino at half-time with Uche Ikepazu introduced soon after.
It was a Saints substitution – Hendry replacing Stevie May – that was to make the difference for it added a crucial cutting edge to their disciplined display.
The 22-year-old gave fair warning of his intent when forcing a direct save from Zlamal from O’Halloran’s cross before following up with the Saints winner.
“It was a perfect day,” summarised manager Tommy Wright.
“We knew they were going to press us high up the pitch because I had watched some Barnsley games so we worked on trying to get in behind them as early as possible.
“I don’t think anyone can begrudge us the win because they haven’t created a clear-cut chance and Callum has continued his happy habit of nicking goals for us when he comes off the bench.”