Hearts extend lead at the top

Paul Sinclair
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24 Nov 1997

HEARTS increased their lead at the top of the premier division to four points when they beat Kilmarnock 5-3 at Tynecastle yesterday in one of the most exciting matches of the season so far.

A hat-trick from Stephane Adam and goals from Neil McCann and Jose Quitongo won them the points, despite having a home defence that was in generous mood.

With no game next week because of the Coca-Cola Cup final, it now means that Hearts will remain in first place even if Rangers, four points behind them, manage to win.

Hearts' manager Jim Jefferies was naturally delighted to see his team's winning run continue - they have now won 10 out of their last 11 matches.

''My players showed a lot of character coming back after losing an early goal,'' he said.

''If you are a neutral, that was as good a game as you will see all season.

I was a bit disappointed with our defence, but we scored five excellent goals.'' The question of whether Hearts can maintain their excellent form and sustain their challenge seems to be answered by their recent results.

Jefferies seems convinced his players have what it takes.

''We are certainly determined,'' Jefferies said.

''To win a league takes a lot of different things, injuries, suspensions, players taking a dip in form and teams getting lucky breaks are all part of it.

''Another win will see us equal the points we took in the first quarter, but we want to finish this round of matches even better.

But we will continue to take it one game at a time.'' For the visitors, it was particularly disappointing to score three goals away from home and come away with nothing.

''It was shocking,'' Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson said of his defensive performance.

''You expect to get something when you score three times away from home, but you can't expect anything when you defend the way we did.

''We created more than enough chances.''

Taken from the Herald