Hearts V Dundee – Cinch Scottish Premiership (23/10/2021)
With the international break and an away game, made my first trip to Edinburgh in 3 weeks to see Hearts against Dundee, who now seem to be a rival of the Jambos after the voting debacle. I got the 1241 train from Stepps to the capital, giving me plenty of time to get to Tynecastle, get food and get through the Covid passport checks at the stadium. Completed my now home game ritual of the lucky Hearts boxer shorts, listened to the latest episode of Scarves Around The Funnel and got food, before heading into Tynecastle Park. There was a slight queue at about 1410 getting into the Wheatfield Stand but it flowed quickly and the Covid passport checks were pretty straight forward.
As the queue at the food kiosk was low, I decided to get my steak pie, Fanta and water as I got into the stand and at £6.20 for the three I was satisfied, the steak pie went down a treat as a follow up to my Greggs steak bake and chicken bake. My seat had been moved for the last time this season due to Covid so I was sat up at the back of Block D, I had been told by Hearts ticket office that due to a health and safety review my seat in row 3 had been removed so for the rest of the season I will be sat up in row 23 of Block D, which has its perks as I’ll keep dry and it’s a cracking view.
A good first half from Hearts, spread the ball well, especially by Cochrane and Souttar. On 37 minutes the Jam Tarts got what they deserved, after some nice passing play in the box the ball was laid off to John Souttar on the edge of the box and the Hearts centre half curled the ball into the top corner for 1-0. A great goal and finish from in my opinion when for one of the first names on the team sheet.
I noticed what an awful player Charlie Adam is, whenever Beni Baningime got the ball he constantly fouled him. He can’t keep up with the pace so just commits fouls, he looks like a Sunday league player who’s just in from a night out the previous evening. The officials were back at their best, no bookings for the constant fouls by Dundee players but two for nothing challenges by players in maroon.
Charlie Adam must have taken the team talk as Dundee were committing fouls as they couldn’t match the Jambo’s so showed that by committing fouls. Worrying for Hearts as Boyce limped off on 60 minutes and was replaced by Gnanduillet. Gary Mackay-Steven hit the post with the keeper well beaten after some great play from Hearts. Boo’s rang around Tynecastle as former Shrewsbury and Hibs class clown Jason Cummings came off the bench, almost a similar reception that Scottish football’s serial scumbag Leigh Griffiths received from the Hearts crowd.
It looked like Adam was getting away with his neanderthal tactics once again as he pulled Kingsley back by what looked like a headlock but when the ball went out he was finally booked.
It shows what great depth there is in the Hearts squad now compared to previous seasons when we can bring players like Mackay-Steven and Josh Ginnelly off the bench in the second half. Craig Gordon went down after a knock to the head following a clash with a Dundee forward in the box, but while he was down getting treatment some scummy Dundee fan decided to throw a full cup at him, showing what a classy support they have.
A lapse of concentration from a corner by Hearts led to Dundee equalising through a Jason Cummings header with under 10 minutes to play. Due to stoppages there were 7 minutes added on, but that wasn’t long enough for Hearts to find a goal to retake the lead.
Still unbeaten in the league and sitting top on goal difference but they really did feel like a massive two points dropped against a team they should have really beaten as to be fair Dundee were poor but Hearts didn’t take control of the game in the second half and that cost them.
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – Season Ticket
Programme Price – £3.50
Programme Rating – 8/10
Refreshments – 8/10
Stadium Facilities – 8/10
Getting To Stadium – 8/10
Stadium Rating – 9/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on Hearts against Dundee.
Daz Carding
Football Days With A Salopian Jambo 