Walker heroics stake his claim for a game
DUNDEE 0 HEARTS 1 Walker (75)
Jamie Walker may still go out on loan in January despite proving to be the Hearts hero against Dundee at Dens.
The 28-year-old came off the bench just before the hour mark and scored what proved to be the only goal of the game in the 75th minute in front of the large travelling support.
It was only Walker’s seventh appearance of the season for the Jam Tarts and other sides are interested in providing him with regular football on loan next month.
However, Jambos boss Robbie Neilson admitted no decision on the player’s future has been taken.
He said: “Jamie has found it hard to get in because the players that have been in those positions have been playing really, really well.
“He’s just had to bide his time.
“We brought Jamie on because he’s got that quality in the final moment and, especially in the second half, we pinned them in a bit in really good areas and we need somebody with that wee bit of magic.
“He’s a Hearts man through and through. You know when you put Jamie on, he’s going to give you everything, so I’m just delighted for the kid.
“He’s not played for a while and to get the winner in front of the Hearts fans is great.
“It’s a decision (going out on loan) that me and Jamie need to come to. I’d like to keep him, but I have to respect that the age he’s at, he needs to play.
“We’ll see how it goes in the next couple of weeks. We’ll have a chat and see what he wants to do, because it will probably come back to that.”
Hearts victory consolidated their third place in the Premiership and Neilson added: “We’re delighted to get the three points.
“It’s always a tough place to come and Dundee, although they had a number of injuries, put out an experienced team.
“We didn’t create many clear-cut chances – but the one we did we took.”
The opening exchanges were fairly even with both sides showing plenty of attacking intent without being able to carve out clear-cut openings.
Hearts finally had an opportunity in the 18th minute when they worked the ball towards Ben Woodburn but the on-loan Liverpool midfielder’s lofted effort sailed over Dundee keeper Adam Legzdins’ crossbar.
Shortly after, Barrie Mckay delivered a corner from the right with the unmarked Taylor Moore sending a powerful header just wide.
As the game passed the half-hour mark, it had descended into a scrappy affair with a succession of niggly fouls disrupting any chance of flowing play.
However, Dundee did finally produce a piece of quality in the 41st minute when Paul Mcgowan played in Luke Mccowan with Hearts keeper Craig Gordon having to produce a diving save to keep out the winger’s low shot.
Thick fog descended on Dens at half-time, with both teams struggling to get into gear after the break.
Cammy Devlin had an opening but his fiercelystruck shot was headed over by Dundee defender Liam Fontaine.
However, the Jam Tarts finally broke the deadlock with what proved to be the winner in the 75th minute.
Mckay teed up sub Aaron Mceneff on the edge of the Dundee box and although his deflected shot cannoned off Legzdins post and back across goal, Walker was first to react to gleefully fire high into the net.
Dundee had a late chance but Paul Mcmullan’s shot flew wide.