League football returned to Tynecastle as we take on a team that should be challenging us up near the top of the table in Dundee. Decided to watch on BBC tonight, was treated to a bit of Elvis before kick off, something kept catching his eye off screen strangely.
Happy to see both Boyce and Smith back in the squad, a very strong looking line up with Ginnelly and Roberts starting wide as I expected. Only Kingsley starting from the side against Raith midweek, Gordon back in between the sticks that adds that confidence at the back. Naismith must still be feeling his knock as he’s on the bench. Shows a difference from last season with the depth of the squad being able to make so many changes. Dundee have three men who could cause issues with Adam, Dorrans and Sow.
Hearts began well dominating in the early minutes with Ginnelly not far off on a volley just wide of the post. Roberts also working well down the left putting in a dangerous ball.
3 minutes gone and some great movement from Micheal Smith in the box and he stroked the ball under the Dundee keeper to make it 1-0 to the Jam Tarts!!
The SFA officials are at their best as Ginnelly is ruled offside from a Roberts cross although he’s played onside by a pair of defenders in white. Some good passing from Hearts early on and getting plenty of balls into the box which is a great sign as it’s great to see such attack minded play and composure. Dundee look a little off the pace as Ginnelly and Roberts causing them lots of trouble out wide. Kingsley looking very good at left back. Watching this kind of football is making me want to be back at Tynecastle even more.
Adam tried a shot from distance but Gordon pulled off a brilliant save. Dundee seem to be playing very direct with long balls to nowhere, as Hearts have control in midfield and using the width well. Has to be said Michael Smith has settled back in well after international duty.
A mistake from Adam let’s Jamie Walker in who forces a corner. The resulting corner is headed out to Ginnelly who drops a shoulder around 35 yards out and the Englishman smashes a screamer low beyond the keeper on 24 minutes to make it 2-0, now that’s how you score your first goal for Hearts!!
Dundee have an instant reaction as Charlie Adam forces his way through and hits a belter from the edge of the box, nothing Gordon could do about it.
Kingsley and Roberts have linked up really well so far down the left and looks as if a great partnership could be formed there. Hearts needed to keep an eye on Charlie Adam as he began spreading the ball around well, like he is known for.
Ball comes to Boyce in the box but he slips as he got his shot off, but the ball comes off Marshall’s hand as he tries to block the shot and a penalty is awarded to Hearts. Boyce stepped up and confidently tucks the penalty away to make it 3-1 to Hearts after 33 minutes. What a game this is.
Hearts began to test Hamilton in the Dundee goal at every chance we got. The way the game was going was worrying for Dundee as Hearts were really dominating and frustrating them. Good to see Smithy driving forward from the back a lot, putting in his usual 110% effort.
Olly Lee with some smart play to win Hearts a free kick in a dangerous position just before half time. Stephen Kingsley took the kick and wrapped it into the top corner, another screamer for Hearts to make it 4-1 at half time.
An unreal first half of football, playing with confidence both in attack and defence. We had Dundee well and truly in our back pocket.
The second half started and Charlie Adam thought he would try to beat Gordon from inside his own half but it was easy for Hearts number 1 as it went off target. Just minutes later a free kick was given for a high boot near the edge of the box and Adam went just wide. Everything Dundee were creating was coming through the former Liverpool man. Dundee look a different side after the break as their sub Afolabi tested Craig Gordon.
But Hearts seemed to deal with the Dundee pressure as they found themselves on the front foot again with more great creative play from Ginnelly.
Mullen had a shot from distance which gave Gordon a change to show off his great agility as he got to the shot and pulled off a great save. Good to see Hearts limiting Dundee to shots from distance.
Kingsley, Roberts and Ginnelly continued to cause trouble, a highlight being Kingsley having a crack from long range after some nice passing. Andy Irving was lucky to not see red as he was booked for an out of character challenge on Dorrans.
A lapse of concentration got us in trouble as Afolabi had the ball in the box and found Mullen who dinked the ball over Gordon to make it 4-2 with just over 20 minutes to play. Squeaky bum time?
Ginnelly continued to impress and whipped in a great ball for Walker who’s header was tipped over by Hamilton. The game had developed into a good competitive period. Robbie Neilson made a few changes, Irving was replaced by Haring, Halliday came on for the impressive Ginnelly and Liam Boyce made way for Craig Wighton.
Jordan Roberts showed good strength as the ball looked to go out of play and fed the ball to Halliday who’s shot deflects just wide. As we entered the final 10 minutes the game was end to end until Smithy passed to Roberts who then laid off to Kingsley who found space and pulled the trigger from over 30 yards from goal and the ball flew into the net to bag his second goal and make the score 5-2 to the Jam Tarts!! What a bloody goal!!
Even though we were 5-2 up, we still kept attacking, Jamie Walker laid the ball off for Andy Halliday who scored his first in a maroon shirt with a great finish as he put the ball across the keeper and it was now 6-2 to Hearts as we entered time added on.
The referee blew the whistle and Hearts managed to beat the team who many see as the main challenger for top spot in the Championship 6-2. What a performance from the Jambo’s, the team oozed confidence, played with composure and didn’t show any hint of panic. Robbie’s tactical work was spot on as he changed formations when he made subs to fit the players on the pitch.
My Man Of The Match was a tough pick between two players, Josh Ginnelly and Stephen Kingsley. I went with Kingsley as not only did he score two crackers but he worked tirelessly on the left side and I think he can be another integral part of the team this season.
PLAYER RATINGS
Gordon – 7
Smith – 8
Halkett – 6
Popescu – 7
Kingsley -9
Lee – 6
Irving – 6
Ginnelly – 8
Walker – 7
Roberts – 7
Haring – 6
Halliday – 7
Wighton – 6
Next up is another Friday night game, as the Jambo’s travel to the coast to take on Arbroath under the floodlights. Hopefully we can continue the buzz the players will have after this victory and come away with another win.
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Hearts against Dundee.
Daz Carding
@Salopian_Jambo
Football Days With A Salopian Jambo 