Neilson hails new boys as Jambos go second
Robbie Neilson hailed the quality and depth of his squad after watching Hearts deliver an emphatic victory which propelled the Gorgie side up to second place.
Neilson was especially delighted by the enterprising performances from two of his newcomers, Barrie Mckay and Cammy Devlin.
Despite only having been at the club a matter of weeks, the pair have already become favourites among those clad in maroon.
Mckay, in only his second start, was involved in Michael Smith’s opener and created the third for Alex Cochrane, strikes that sandwiched a first-half Liam Boyce penalty.
Australian midfielder Devlin, on his full debut, delivered a dynamic display full of energy and composure and was rightly afforded a warm applause from the fans as he made his way down the tunnel at full-time.
“Barrie’s performance was the reason we brought him here,” added Neilson.
“We’ve got Barry, Gary Mackay-steven, Ben Woodburn, Jamie Walker and Josh Ginnelly, so that keeps everyone fresh and ready to go. He did well.
“When I came in at the start of last season we had the oldest squad in the Championship and the plan was to get the squad a lot younger and more energetic, more mobile.
“Cammy’s another piece in the jigsaw; he’s 23, he has energy, pace, mobility and he can deal with the ball.
“The recruitment’s been really good this year. I think we’ve a decent squad here now. All in all, it’s been a good day.”
It has to be noted that the ease of victory was aided by Livingston putting so much into draining performances against Rangers and Celtic in the last seven days.
“Livingston have had tough games – Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, against Celtic, Rangers and Hearts,” said Neilson.
“So we knew it would be important to bring energy that would allow us to dominate.”
The opening goal arrived in the 25th minute and it was a sublime effort. Mckay left Adam Lewis in his wake on the right flank and found Cochrane with a deep pass.
Cochrane cushioned the ball back for Smith and the wingback lashed a first-time leftfooted drive high into the net past the despairing Stryjek.
Having defended fairly comfortably until that point, Livingston were deflated by that strike.
A near sell-out Tynecastle crowd demanded more goals and Hearts duly obliged in the 33rd minute.
This time it came from the penalty spot. Beni Baningime went down rather theatrically following a trip by Ben Williamson but ref Gavin Duncan seemed certain there was enough contact.
Boyce collected his ninth goal of the season with a calm finish, sending Stryjek the wrong way.
Before the half was out, Stryjek made sure his team were only facing a two-goal deficit at the interval after palming a stinging Smith half-volley over the bar.
Martindale used the recess to make changes. Off went Lewis and Williamson for former Hibs midfielder Stephen Omeonga and Jackson Longridge.
The half-time break affected Hearts’ intensity but they were still the team on the offensive.
Stryjek was called on to acrobatically push a Stephen Kingsley free-kick behind for a corner before Mckay was then denied by the Pole following a stray pass by Ayo Obileye.
There was to be a third goal in the 65th minute. Mckay, who was given a standing ovation when he was replaced later in the game, punched a low cross across the goal and Cochrane had a tap in at the back post.