Relief for Cathro as Hearts set up Hibs tie
HEARTS head coach Ian Cathro breathed a huge sigh of relief last night after his side kept their Scottish Cup hopes alive with an extra-time victory over Raith Rovers. The Gorgie men will take on city rivals Hibernian in the fifth round after seeing off their Championship opponents in last night’s replay at Tynecastle. An early strike from Bobby Barr had the Kirkcaldy men believing a shock was possible before 18-year-old Rory Currie equalised on his first start for Hearts. Raith held on to take the tie into extra-time before a Malaury Martin penalty edged Cathro’s men in front after Kyle Benedictus had fouled Jamie Walker. Ryan Hardie pulled Rovers level again before another penalty from Walker — after Benedictus had again fouled the winger — and a further strike from Bjorn Johnsen proved decisive. Last night’s win was only Cathro’s second in the seven games of his reign and gives the former Newcastle coach breathing space as he bids to settle into the role.
THREE extra-time goals, including two penalties, were required for nervy Hearts to finally edge a fraught, taut, thriller of a Scottish Cup replay with Raith Rovers. But if under-fire Ian Cathro thought this narrow victory over Championship opponents was a tense affair, it will seem a walk in the park when the next second-tier team pitches up in Gorgie.
This fourth-round win means that Hibernian will travel across the city to Tynecastle next month as Scottish Cup holders for the first time since October 1887.
Such an Edinburgh derby represents a chance for Cathro to win over the Tynecastle faithful after a sticky start.
Or to attract their ire, as Robbie Neilson did last term when his side tossed away a 2-0 half-time lead against Hibs, who went on to end 114 barren years in the competition with victory at Hampden over Rangers.
Either way, it promises to be a match that shapes his tenure as Hearts head coach.
Yet, while last night’s win will ease the pressure on the head coach — thanks to goals from Rory Currie, Bjorn Johnsen and spotkicks by Malaury Martin and Jamie Walker — this was not a wholly convincing victory against a Rovers side that had not won in ten matches since October.
A 1-1 draw at Kirkcaldy had ensured Cathro approached the replay under heavy pressure. He had also made himself look foolish by not knowing when the replay would be played and criticising the schedule, unaware that Hearts had themselves agreed the date with Rovers.
A shambling interview with BBC Scotland had only served to heighten concerns about a head coach who is unable to communicate effectively.
In response to the mounting criticism, Cathro insisted progress was being made under his tenure and had vowed to get the results to back his assertion up.
The young coach made two changes. In came young Currie up front for his first start and back came Prince Buaben. Don Cowie and Krystian Nowak dropped out of the 18-man squad altogether.
Despite their own erratic form, Rovers smelled blood after Hearts’ insipid second half at Starks Park.
Gary Locke made just the one change to his visiting side, but it was tellingly bold. Striker Declan McManus was rewarded for his late leveller with a starting berth in the place of Chris Johnston as the Rovers boss changed shape to 4-4-2.
Perhaps annoyed by all the talk of an Edinburgh derby in the fifth round being inevitable, Raith burst out of the blocks with intent.
McManus came close when he blasted a low shot that drew a good block by Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton.
Hearts were slow to find their feet, but their best moment came when Walker raced through on goal only to see his fierce 18-yard shot deflected over the bar.
Straight up the other end, the Championship visitors enjoyed more than a touch of good fortune when they took the lead.
Bobby Barr drove at the Hearts defence before unleashing a shot which looped up off Northern Ireland international Aaron Hughes and over the stranded Hamilton.
Cathro rushed out to dish out orders to his players, but his body language appeared uncertain. The home three-quarters of Tynecastle upped the volume in a bid to help their head coach lift Hearts.
But they looked a team lacking in confidence, and Johnsen had an unconvincing penalty claim turned down after a challenge by Raith centre-half Kyle Benedictus.
But, ever so slowly, Hearts grew into the game and Buaben capped a fine move by releasing a 25-yard left-foot shot that drew a terrific save from veteran keeper Kevin Cuthbert.
The goal that Hearts deserved arrived ten minutes before the break after Jordan Thompson, on loan from Rangers, lost the ball in the middle of the park.
The giant Johnsen showed great close control, dancing past Kevin McHattie, before sliding a perfect ball into the path of Currie.
The 18-year-old coolly slotted home his first goal for the club, vindicating Cathro’s brave decision to put him on the park.
The head coach was not in the mood for celebrating, though, as he frantically urged his players to get back to business.
Half-time saw a huge boost for Hearts fans as they welcomed the return from injury of Sam Nicholson.
The wide midfielder, who has been linked with a move to Rangers, had not been seen in a Hearts jersey since a home defeat to Motherwell in September. He was afforded the warmest of welcomes when he replaced Buaben.
Rovers striker Mark Stewart came close to edging the visitors in front when his wonderful touch, turn and shot drew a fine save from Hamilton.
But Stewart, who missed such a sitter in the first match, was then left cursing his poor first touch when he
was set up on the edge of the six-yard box by the impressive Barr.
Hearts should have been in front when Martin’s free-kick was headed off the bar by Nicholson.
Johnsen twice thought he had won the tie in normal time when Cuthbert saved his header then, moments later, his low shot flashed a matter of inches wide.
Within 90 seconds of extra-time, though, Walker won a penalty when felled by Benedictus. Frenchman Martin, on his first appearance at Tynecastle after being signed by Cathro, smashed the ball into the top right-hand corner.
There was high drama, however, when Stewart set up substitute Ryan Hardie to slot in a leveller in front of the delirious Rovers support.
‘You’re getting sacked in the morning,’ they taunted Cathro.
But then, four minutes later, Benedictus fouled Walker again in the box and, this time, the Hearts midfielder cracked the penalty home for his 12th goal of the season.
Johnsen’s late strike ended the nerves at 4-2. Rest assured they will return ahead of next month’s momentous, mouthwatering Edinburgh Scottish Cup derby with Hibs.