We’ll turn Tynie on new boss
Early goal will get the home crowd angry says Killie’s Jamie
JAMIE MacDONALD is ready to use the Hearts fans to pile even more heat on Ian Cathro.
Tynecastle can be a brilliant bear pit for the Jambos but it can also be a cold coliseum of unforgiving fans.
Cathro has taken just one point in nine since his bold appointment as successor to Robbie Neilson – and his team were booed off after their 1-1 home draw against Partick.
Lee Clark’s Kilmarnock visit the capital tomorrow, still smarting from a 1-0 defeat to St Johnstone at Rugby Park on Friday night.
But their frustration was a minor irritant compared to the ire faced by Hearts from their travelling support as they shipped a two-goal lead at Dundee before losing 3-2.
Former Jambos favourite MacDonald said: “Hearts are an excellent team but if they are under pressure then hopefully we can capitalise on that.
“Ideally, you look to score an early goal and try to get the fans on their back. We also know that after losing at Dens they’ll want to come flying out of the traps. It’ll be a full Tynecastle, so they’ll be desperate to get a result for their new manager.
“In my time there I saw both sides of the support at Tynecastle. It’s massive we start well, either to frustrate them or get an early goal. With a new manager the fans might then turn. We need to re-group after a poor result against Saints.
“Tynecastle is a great place to play. You can try to turn the crowds at most places but you tend to notice it more at the bigger grounds simply because there are more people there. It can work for and against you.”
Hearts passed up the chance to go second in the Premiership slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Rugby Park two months ago.
Souleymane Coulibaly and Steven Smith put them to the sword and now Hearts could drop to fifth if they fail to beat Killie and St Johnstone see off Rangers 24 hours later.
MacDonald added: “Our performance against Hearts in October shows we can do it. It was our best display of the season and we must do it again.
“We haven’t done that in recent weeks. You can’t fault the work-rate, we’re putting in a shift and we’ve generally been in the games but we need that extra bit of quality to start scoring some goals.
“The goals we do score seem to be world class and that will start to dry up.
“Saints’ goal came from a set-piece and a quick shot. Even in the second half we got into good positions but shot straight at the goalkeeper. We need to start being more clinical.”