The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Daly is delighted by display of heart
Jon Daly was delighted with the character shown by the Hearts players in a battling 2-2 Ladbrokes Premiership draw with Ross County at Global Energy Stadium.
The stand-in boss felt the players came through a memorable week with flying colours after an excellent win over Rangers in midweek and a credible draw in the Highlands, despite losing their management team of Robbie Neilson and Stevie Crawford to MK Dons.
Former Dundee United and Raith Rovers striker Daly said: “They had to show character. At 1-0 down, especially in the first half, we looked a bit lethargic. We said that to them at half-time.
“It is probably understandable with the week and games they’ve had. They put everything into a big game against Rangers during the week and then found themselves 1-0 down in a game I didn’t think there was much in.”
“We knew beforehand how Ross County would play, putting balls into our box and putting us under pressure. We didn’t deal with the first ball and then the second ball goes in the back of the net.
“But they showed great character to come back to 2-1 ahead. Again after that it’s a ball into the box we don’t deal with.”
He added: “We give the penalty away and find ourselves back at 2-2. But we go back down the other end and win ourselves a penalty and the keeper makes a great save to keep it level.”
Daly picked out his goalkeeper for special mention, adding: “Jack Hamilton’s performances all season have been different class. That’s what he does for us. He makes good saves.
“The boys responded to that. If one or two of those went in we’d have been dead and buried, but we got ourselves ahead and showed great character, probably running on empty after the games we’ve had.”