Wasteful Hearts rue misses on blank day
ROSS COUNTY 0
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson lamented his side’s profligacy in front of goal after being held to a goalless draw with Ross County.
The Gorgie side registered some 17 attempts at goal during the clash, but only managed three on target.
Leading scorer Liam Boyce had a particularly frustrating afternoon after twice passing up gilt-edged chances in the second half.
Neilson was also disappointed that the players could not give Scott Wilson, the stadium announcer who is stepping down after 20 years in the role, a winning send-off.
He said: “It was a frustrating afternoon. We huffed and puffed a wee bit, the start of the game was 200 miles per hour – we kick it, they kick it – and there was no real control.
“I thought once we got some control in the game there were opportunities to score, opportunities to make that final pass and we just weren’t quite there today.
“On another day those chances would go in. Liam is our top goal scorer and he’s a top player, but you get days like that.
“We had it earlier in the season as well. We had a wee period January time when it wasn’t quite clicking and hopefully it will click next week.
“Ross County defended really well. They had loads of blocks around the box. Although they never created a lot of chances they had some counter-attacks.
“There is a quietness in the dressing room. We had all the fans coming, paying for their tickets, it was Scottie’s last day and we wanted to get the win. There’s disappointment in there.”
With County still firmly in the mix for European football, the Staggies started well and Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon was called on after 13 minutes to get down to a Connor Randall shot from just outside the box.
It took a sluggish Hearts a while to get going, although Ben Woodburn registered their first shot on target seven minutes later with a low drive that was easily collected by Ross Laidlaw.
County did have the ball in the net through Jordan White in the 34th minute but the striker was flagged for offside.
The Gorgie side dominated the second period. Josh Ginnelly hooked a shot over
from a great position after being teed up by Nathaniel Atkinson before Boyce failed to make the most of his 76th-minute opening.
The Northern Irishman was put clean through by Barrie Mckay but his effort was blocked by Laidlaw.
After Mckay fired inches wide Boyce was guilty of missing another great chance when he failed to find the target after being set up by sub Andy Halliday.
There was a touching moment at the end of the game when the Hearts players formed a guard of honour for stadium announcer Wilson.
Neilson, meanwhile, was less than impressed with referee Steven Mclean after being booked in the second half.
He added: “When you are asking a midfielder to receive the ball but if a player comes through the back of them and wins the ball it is a free-kick.
“But for some reason in Scottish football we don’t give that. I’m pretty sure if it was Europe and if he does that then the ref gives it.
“But because he doesn’t, the next time the ball comes in the midfielder doesn’t want to take it so everybody starts kicking the ball long and that is a real frustration.
“If we want to take the game forward then you need to give fouls for that or the game never gets built.”
White’s goal ruled out