CRISIS? WHAT CRISIS?
Cowie is sure that Hearts can bounce back and hit top form
HEARTS midfielder Don Cowie has laughed off suggestions of a crisis at Tynecastle — because they have supposedly already been through one this season. The former Scotland international reckons the reaction among some supporters to a winless streak of four matches is indicative of the high standards set by Robbie Neilson during his time in charge.
There was similar dissent among some fans online when Hearts crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Maltese minnows Birkirkara in July before failing to win any of their first three domestic fixtures.
However, just as they bounced back from that run, Cowie is adamant they will return to winning ways against visitors Motherwell today.
‘I remember speaking after three games this season and it was a crisis then,’ smiled the 33-yearold former Wigan, Cardiff and Watford star. ‘But then we went on a good run and we’ve shown we’re willing to face the fight.
‘It’s a big game this weekend, we’re back at home and our home form has been decent. Hopefully we can get full points against Motherwell and get back on track.
‘I’m not going to hide the fact this has been a run of games where a club like Hearts goes in expecting to win. To not win any is disappointing,’ added Cowie, as he reflected on the three draws with Hamilton, St Johnstone and Inverness which followed a defeat to Kilmarnock in October.
‘On the positive side, we’re showing a good togetherness. We’re going behind in matches and we’re getting back into it. That shows a lot about our squad but we have to start winning games.’
Indeed, while Hearts have shipped 10 goals in their last four fixtures — including three against Accies in on Monday — they remain second top scorers in the Premiership.
That’s despite their striking pool of Bjorn Johnsen, Tony Watt, Connor Sammon and Robbie Muirhead having only found the net four times this term. But the rest of the team have chipped in and their tally of 24 for the campaign is second only to Celtic.
‘A lot gets said about our strikers but to be second-top scorers in the league says we’re doing something right,’ continued Cowie.
‘Up until the last four games, we had the best defensive record in the league. That shows we’ve got something to work with.
‘The goals we’re conceding are sloppy. That’s something we need to rectify.’
A ‘mouth-watering’ four days then sees Hearts welcome Rangers to Tynecastle on Wednesday evening as the two sides, along with Aberdeen, battle to be crowned best-of-the-rest.
‘If we get the three points, we get confidence going into a big game on Wednesday,’ added Cowie.
‘Rangers will look at it the same way. We’ve not played each other this season so far. It’ll be a real mouth-watering match.’
Sixth-placed Motherwell can bring themselves within two points of Hearts with victory today, but their last visit to Gorgie in January of last season saw them on the receiving end of a 6-0 spanking.
However, Chris Cadden, the club’s Scotland Under-21 midfielder, says Mark McGhee’s men will present a far more formidable obstacle today.
‘You can’t look too much into that,’ said the 20-year-old. ‘It was a long time ago and it’s two different sets of players in each team now.’
Cadden, meanwhile, insists it was ‘a no-brainer’ to sign his new contract at Motherwell because he didn’t want to end up warming the bench in the English lower leagues.
Having established himself as a key first-team player since McGhee took charge, he penned a new deal this month that will keep him at Fir Park until the summer of 2019.
His impressive performances saw him linked with Wigan but Cadden insists leaving his boyhood club was never on the agenda.
‘Why wouldn’t I sign?’ he said. ‘I’m playing regularly and loving it.
‘It’s better to get first-team football before moving. You improve at first-team level rather than Under-23s in England.’