Win joy Cathro in Callum sweat
HEARTS 4 KILLIE 0
GARY RALSTON AT TYNECASTLE
HEARTS are facing a £1million sweat on Callum Paterson as gaffer Ian Cathro enjoyed the last laugh over Kris Boyd.
The Scotland defender was carried off on a stretcher at Tynecastle last night with suspected knee-ligament damage as Kilmarnock were swatted aside 4-0.
First-half goals from Paterson and Arnaud Djoum and a second-half double from Jamie Walker handed new boss Cathro his first win in four games since
HEARTS played with a tempo and energy that suggested they are finally finding their feet under their new boss after an uneasy start for Ian Cathro. before calling for a stretcher, with Liam Smith his replacement at full-back.
In between, Killie almost took advantage of their extra man when Souleymane Coulibaly rose unchallenged to meet a cross from the Greg Taylor but nodded weakly wide.
The home support yelled their frustration with every slack pass or opposition attack and needed another goal to fully settle their nerves.
It almost arrived midway through the first half when Bjorn Johnsen, who gave William Boyle a torrid time on occasions, particularly on the turn, met a corner from Walker at the front post.
The beanpole Norwegian glanced a marvellous header across MacDonald’s goal but Martin Smith was on the line at the back post to boot it to safety.
Hearts’ possession finally paid off two minutes before the break when they scored the second goal their possession deserved, although Kilmarnock’s defensive marking was far from clever.
Smith was allowed to turn onto his left foot on the right-hand side of the box and he delivered a delightful low cross that found Djoum, who timed his TWO league wins on the road all season tells a sorry story for Killie. They missed the chance to get into the top six and on this form will struggle to get there soon. run to perfection to poke a shot beyond the helpless MacDonald.
The game was over as a contest three minutes into the second half when Walker gave his side the security of a third goal.
A shot by Prince Buaben was pushed out unconvincingly for once by MacDonald and the little winger ran in to slot the ball gleefully into the net from 10 yards.
It was Walker’s ninth goal of the season and he took his tally to double figures on 70 minutes when he raced onto a woefully short back pass from Boyle, who really suffered a stinker, before planting a shot beyond MacDonald.
Krystian Nowak also cracked the post near the end of a match the Jambos really should have won by more than four goals.
Killie players have been using a cryotherapy chamber recently but last night they froze on the park as much as they have been off it. HEARTS fans have booed their team’s performances under Cathro – then took exception to Kris Boyd for criticising Him. It’s a funny old game. From Back Page succeeding Robbie Neilson. Hearts fans jeered Boyd, one of their new gaffer’s biggest critics, but Jambo joy was marred by the injury to Paterson that could cost them a seven-figure pay day next month.
They were ready to cash in on the full-back before he moves out of contract in the summer but all bets are off as they await further assessment on his knee.
Cathro said: “We don’t know for sure yet the extent of the injury. It’s an awkward one which, at the time, brought some concern.
“We’ll see how it is in the morning and hope things are as good as they can be.
“Everyone is worried for him. The only thing we can do is wait and see.”
Boyd’s stinging criticism of Cathro, that he was a coach more suited to a laptop and FIFA 17, cut no ice with the Premiership’s youngest boss.
He added: “No, he didn’t speak to me. Honestly, there’s no reaction from me on that. It’s other people’s games to be played.
“The reaction of our fans? That’s for other people to react to and enjoy. Had it gone any way, the reaction from me would have been the same.
“Every day, we’re getting more comfortable with our work and everybody found a little bit more to give.
“There are always other parts in our play which can be quicker and clearer, but these are small steps.
“That was important for players to have their moment, feel strong, manage the game and stay in control. They deserve to feel good.”
Killie boss Lee Clark admits he didn’t have to go through his players because they did it themselves.
He said: “There were some harsh words said between the players afterwards. In the last two games we’ve gone backwards.
“Our underbelly is soft and we’ve given away schoolboy goals. I’ll be doing some work in the transfer window.
“We’re disappointed because we knew there was half a chance against Hearts.”
‘I’m worried some Gers fans have overdone the Xmas sherry. If they believe they have any chance of beating Celtic it’s the booze talking’
had a man sent off but still took the three points at a canter. Anyone who believes Rangers are closing the gap needs their head examined.”
said: “All the best to Scotland’s most-successful club Rangers on Saturday in what should be a more even game against failures in Europe Celtic.”
said: The Celtic fans are also glad all over that Joe Garner’s at Rangers.”
said: “I am disappointed in both Aberdeen and Hearts. I really thought they would mount a challenge this season but they have been so bad they have allowed Rangers to gain second spot. Celtic will stroll the Glasgow derby but the rest of the top flight are quite poor.”
emailed: “The only prediction that’s certain for the Hogmanay game is the ref will get slagged. Heaven help him if he shows a red card.” Now a belated Christmas request...
said: “I’m a Dundee United fan and would urge our chairman Steven Thompson to bring back Nadir Ciftci now. If we get him from Celtic the Terrors will scoosh the league.”
is no fan of Big Sam and said: “Crystal Palace have pulled off a masterstroke by appointing England’s most successful manager, Sam Allardyce.
“He may have been unbeaten with the Three Lions but he’s proof the more of a wrong one you are in football, the more successful you become.” And finally along came a Spider.
emailed: “I’d like to congratulate our own Gus MacPherson on his achievements at Queen’s Park. He has all the boys working hard and playing for each other. He’s a truly great Scottish coach with a massive drive for our game – these are the types of coaches that can save our game.
“A play-off place is in sight so sometimes things are not as bad as they seem in Scottish football, especially in the lower leagues.” CALL THE HOTLINE TODAY FROM 11 TILL 12 NOON on: 0141 309 3306 or email us: hotline@dailyrecord.co.uk