St Johnstone break the Hearts

Feb 2 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

IT was masked by the hullabaloo surrounding the return of Jim Jefferies to a Tynecastle hot seat which has burned a multitude of backsides since Vlad “The Impaler” Romanov became a curious, if colourful, character on the Scottish football scene.

But Saints, the second-half collapse against Celtic apart, have been going about their work quietly and effectively. Three SPL wins and a draw have opened-up a nine-point gap between the Perth club and Falkirk at the foot of the table.

This victory, which should have been secured with more breathing space against a dismal Hearts outfit, also pegged back an Edinburgh side with top six status.

The goal, which secured seven points from nine against Hearts this term, was tucked away by Kenny Deuchar, who finally reminded admirer Jeff Stelling and the Sky Sports team that “Dr Goals” was still operating north of the border.

Five previous strikes have helped Saints advance in the cups but this one clearly meant more to a striker who could never be accused of hiding or shirking when the league goals were on hold.

It was an instinctive finish, with Deuchar’s front past run picked out by advanced full-back Danny Grainger. The cross from the left was low and tempting but Deuchar still had to get his angles right and glanced the ball into the far corner with the subtlety and pinpoint accuracy of a Roger Federer cross court volley.

The celebration was a heady mix of joy and relief as the striker savoured the ovation which welcomed a goal he and the fans have been waiting for since his arrival in the summer.

It may have secured his place for the cup semi-final with Rangers.

Replacement Cillian Sheridan, who meets the U21 criteria, should have endeared himself to supporters on his home debut but battered Stevie Milne’s cutback off the post instead of relying on accuracy to find the net.

Hearts had threatened just once, when restored defender Graham Gartland misjudged a bouncing ball shortly after the interval but Glen wasted the opportunity by blasting his shot over the target. But somehow they were still in contention as the game meandered into stoppage time.

And home hearts were in mouths when Nade’s cutback picked out sub Gordon Smith. The youngster was perfectly positioned with the target in his sights from close range. But somehow energetic full-back Gary

Irvine propelled himself into the line of fire to come to the rescue and block the netbound shot.

It was farcical that Hearts were still in the hunt for a point. But Saints had failed to dispatch a wounded foe which was at their mercy.

Hearts rarely stumbled beyond the half-way line before the interval and Murray Davidson set the tone with a series of ferocious but fair challenges which might have registered on the Richter Scale.

Performances at this level will have Scotland manager Craig Levein beating a path back to McDiarmid Park. And there will be less welcome visitors scouting from south of the border.

Davidson was cautioned along with Millar and Gartland and the Jambos didn’t fancy a scrap.

Several changes were made from the midweek Tayside derby line-up, with Jody Morris protected, but again Saints dominated a first-half. Chris Millar had an early chance, Milne launched one over the bar and glanced a header in the same direction and a Davidson drive and cross fell behind the striker. In the second-half Milne pulled a shot beyond the far post after sprinting into the penalty area.

Saints should have cashed-in as the game stretched but time after time the wrong option was taken as they advanced into the final third.

So they endured an anxious finale before celebrating a win and securing just their third SPL clean sheet of the season going into the cup semi-final.

ST JOHNSTONE: Smith, Irvine, Grainger, Mackay, Gartland, Millar, Moon (Sheerin 90), Davidson, Morais (Craig 77), Milne and Deuchar (Sheridan 68). Subs not used: Main, Anderson, MacDonald and Reynolds.

HEARTS: Kello, Kucharski, Jonsson, Obua, Nade, Thomson, Bouzid, Stewart, Zaliukas (Driver 46), Visconte (Cinikas 51) and Glen (Smith 68). Subs not used: Balogh, Wittiveen, Wallace and Mulrooney.

Referee: Euan Norris.