26th December 2019 Hearts v Hibs 0-2
After two weeks in Cape Verde this is my first chance to watch Hearts under new manager Daniel Stendel. Stendel was recruited after a long process and was previously with Hanover and Barnsley. He seemed to do well with both sides, however he was relieved of his duties at Barnsley in October as the team struggled after promotion to the English Championship. Press comments said that Stendel was unhappy that the board did not back him to sign new players after promotion to replace stars who had moved elsewhere. After protracted negotiations he has joined Hearts but the side have now lost their first three games under his management and have slumped to the bottom of the SPL. A win today is therefore essential to boost confidence in the side. The match also had an important family connection as one of my grandsons, Harper, was a Hearts mascot today. We had bought him the experience as a joint birthday and Christmas present and, as a Hearts season ticket holder, will be over the moon. He knew nothing about this until Christmas Day and will be one of eleven mascots walking out with the Hearts side.His photo was included in the match programme, see the top row on the photo above. Left home and 11.30 and walked down to Tynecastle. Arrived in the ground around 11.45 and saw my Christmas present of a Hearts tile was now up in the wall in the Main Stand tunnel between sections Q and R. When I got into the stand i chatted to Craig, Claire and Harmoni who had taken their seats while Harper was being shown round the changing rooms as the team warmed up. The mascots then came out for a kick about before they went back in to walk out alongside the team. Harper came out alongside Micael Smith and looked really happy.
Hearts made three changes from the side defeated at Hamilton in their last match. Captain Christophe Berra returned after suspension along with Ryotaro Meshino and Jake Mulrnaey. Glenn Whelan and the injured, again, Steven Naismith were omitted from the match-day squad with Steven MacLean dropping to the bench. Surprisingly Sean Clare lined up at right-back with Smith in a midfield role when I had expected them to start in each other’s roles. Hibs, under the recently appointed manager and former Hearts coach Jack Ross had lost their last game against Rangers and were forced into some changes. Darren McGregor replaced the suspended Ryan Porteous and the injured Florien Kamberi was replaced by Darryl Horgan.
The match itself was a massive disappointment from a Hearts viewpoint. Hibs went ahead after six minutes when Hearts failed to clear a ball on the right hand side of their defensive area. His Scott Allan hit a high cross into the penalty box where Martin Boyle beat Berra to the ball to volley past Joel Pereira in the Hearts goal. Hearts could have equalised almost directly afterwards when Ikpeazu appeared to be held back by Hallberg in the penalty area. the striker fell to the ground but referee Don Robertson waved away penalty claims. I sometimes think that Ikpeazu is penalised by referees as they seemed to believe that because of his strength and power he should not be going down under unfair challenges. Hearts were not making any progress in midfield and Hibs looked likely to score again at any time with Boyle, playing through the middle, a particular threat due to his pace. A corner from Allan was missed by Pereira and struck the far post before being cleared by the Hearts defence. Hibs went further ahead in thirty-one minutes after Allan dispossessed Loic Damour in midfield following a Heats free-kick. Allan fed the ball through to Boyle who outpaced the Hearts central defence and slid the ball home for a two nil lead. Hearts only chance in the first half came when Meshino cut in from the left. His shot from the edge of the box was powerful and looked as if it was heading for the net until Ofir Marciano leapt to touch the ball behind got a corner.
Hearts made changes for the second half bringing on Oliver Bozanic and Euan Henderson to replace Damour and Aidy White. I was not surprised with the changes especially the replacement of Damour. The midfielder was signed in August after being released by Cardiff City and I have yet to see any signs that he is worthy of the four year deal he received. Hearts had most of the possession in the second half but did not really look like scoring. Ikpeazu broke into the box after a good run down the right the right by Clare. The striker however pulled his shot across goal with no one following up to touch the ball into the net. Henderson forced a good save from Marciano when he connected with a cross inside the penalty area. The keeper made an even better stop from the rebound as he pushed the ball away for a corner. Meshino looked Hearts best bet for a goal and had a shot from outside the box pushed away by a diving Marciano before blazing a second effort high over the bar. As the game moved into injury time Smith had an attempt from about thirty yards but his shot was high and wide. This may sound like Hearts were dominant in the second half but I still felt Hearts were vulnerable to Hibs pace on the break. On one occasion Pereira had to race from his goal to head clear a long clearance just outside the centre circle. Berra also had to track back and ended up fouling Horgan to stop another break. The final whistle came as a relief as I felt Hearts could have played for another ninety minutes without being able to put the ball in the net.
I walked home trying to think about any positive features from the day. Hamilton and St Mirren both being defeated prevented them gaining any further ground on Hearts at the foot of the table. Also Clare, despite playing at right-back, had one of his best games in a maroon shirt and Smith played an excellent holding role in the midfield area. I was however glad to get home and settle down to watch some television without any mention of football.
Teams
Hearts: Pereira, Clare, Hickey, Halkett, M. Smith, Berra, Mulraney, Damour, Ikpeazu, Meshino, White.
Subs: Henderson, Bozanic, Keena.
Hibs: Marciano, Hanlon, Horgan, Slivka, Doidge, Boyle, Stevenson, Hallberg, Naismith, Allan, McGregor.
Subs: Mallan, Newell.
Hearts made three changes from the side defeated at Hamilton in their last match. Captain Christophe Berra returned after suspension along with Ryotaro Meshino and Jake Mulrnaey. Glenn Whelan and the injured, again, Steven Naismith were omitted from the match-day squad with Steven MacLean dropping to the bench. Surprisingly Sean Clare lined up at right-back with Smith in a midfield role when I had expected them to start in each other’s roles. Hibs, under the recently appointed manager and former Hearts coach Jack Ross had lost their last game against Rangers and were forced into some changes. Darren McGregor replaced the suspended Ryan Porteous and the injured Florien Kamberi was replaced by Darryl Horgan.
The match itself was a massive disappointment from a Hearts viewpoint. Hibs went ahead after six minutes when Hearts failed to clear a ball on the right hand side of their defensive area. His Scott Allan hit a high cross into the penalty box where Martin Boyle beat Berra to the ball to volley past Joel Pereira in the Hearts goal. Hearts could have equalised almost directly afterwards when Ikpeazu appeared to be held back by Hallberg in the penalty area. the striker fell to the ground but referee Don Robertson waved away penalty claims. I sometimes think that Ikpeazu is penalised by referees as they seemed to believe that because of his strength and power he should not be going down under unfair challenges. Hearts were not making any progress in midfield and Hibs looked likely to score again at any time with Boyle, playing through the middle, a particular threat due to his pace. A corner from Allan was missed by Pereira and struck the far post before being cleared by the Hearts defence. Hibs went further ahead in thirty-one minutes after Allan dispossessed Loic Damour in midfield following a Heats free-kick. Allan fed the ball through to Boyle who outpaced the Hearts central defence and slid the ball home for a two nil lead. Hearts only chance in the first half came when Meshino cut in from the left. His shot from the edge of the box was powerful and looked as if it was heading for the net until Ofir Marciano leapt to touch the ball behind got a corner.
Hearts made changes for the second half bringing on Oliver Bozanic and Euan Henderson to replace Damour and Aidy White. I was not surprised with the changes especially the replacement of Damour. The midfielder was signed in August after being released by Cardiff City and I have yet to see any signs that he is worthy of the four year deal he received. Hearts had most of the possession in the second half but did not really look like scoring. Ikpeazu broke into the box after a good run down the right the right by Clare. The striker however pulled his shot across goal with no one following up to touch the ball into the net. Henderson forced a good save from Marciano when he connected with a cross inside the penalty area. The keeper made an even better stop from the rebound as he pushed the ball away for a corner. Meshino looked Hearts best bet for a goal and had a shot from outside the box pushed away by a diving Marciano before blazing a second effort high over the bar. As the game moved into injury time Smith had an attempt from about thirty yards but his shot was high and wide. This may sound like Hearts were dominant in the second half but I still felt Hearts were vulnerable to Hibs pace on the break. On one occasion Pereira had to race from his goal to head clear a long clearance just outside the centre circle. Berra also had to track back and ended up fouling Horgan to stop another break. The final whistle came as a relief as I felt Hearts could have played for another ninety minutes without being able to put the ball in the net.
I walked home trying to think about any positive features from the day. Hamilton and St Mirren both being defeated prevented them gaining any further ground on Hearts at the foot of the table. Also Clare, despite playing at right-back, had one of his best games in a maroon shirt and Smith played an excellent holding role in the midfield area. I was however glad to get home and settle down to watch some television without any mention of football.
Teams
Hearts: Pereira, Clare, Hickey, Halkett, M. Smith, Berra, Mulraney, Damour, Ikpeazu, Meshino, White.
Subs: Henderson, Bozanic, Keena.
Hibs: Marciano, Hanlon, Horgan, Slivka, Doidge, Boyle, Stevenson, Hallberg, Naismith, Allan, McGregor.
Subs: Mallan, Newell.
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