The green and white gloom is ever deepening

JIM REYNOLDS

27 Sep 1993

TYNECASTLE on Saturday was a place of sharp contrasts when Hearts beat Celtic 1-0 courtesy of a John Robertson goal.

With both sides facing tough UEFA Cup assignments this week -- the Edinburgh men away to Atletico Madrid and the Parkhead team at home to Young Boys of Berne -- there is little doubt as to which lot are in better shape.

Hearts celebrated Gary Mackay's 400th league appearance by grabbing both points and goalkeeper Henry Smith had his own special day by coming up with his 200th shut-out in 439 matches for the club.

The gloom which had hung over Celtic since last Wednesday's League Cup defeat by Rangers turned to dark despair as they produced their worst performance of the season.

Often noted for their passing game, Liam Brady's men came up with something new to themselves -- a passive game which infuriated fans who remain unbelievably loyal no matter how many kicks in the teeth they have to take.

Brady made a fleeting appearance in the press room afterwards.

"If I had to go into detail about that performance I would be here all day," he said.

"There was a lack of character about the team and we got what we deserved."

There were other things lacking.

The ability to make the simplest of passes; the adventurous spirit of Celtic sides of the past; someone willing to take responsibility on the field; a desire to fight when things were slipping away.

It was not encouraging to see a team which will represent Scotland in Europe this week show such a poor appetite for domestic toil.

Brady and his assistant, Joe Jordan, have a massive task in lifting their men for Wednesday night, and they certainly cannot afford to treat this latest performance as being down to just one of those days.

They must know the problem is more complex.

No player who wore the hoops on Saturday can escape criticism, but there are a few who have my sympathy.

Tommy Boyd, for example, is one of the best, if not the best, left backs in the country, yet is being played on the right side.

He looked a different player when he was switched to his natural position at Tynecastle.

Pat McGinlay, bought for a lot of money after high-class performances in the Hibs engine room, is being asked to play in the shadow of the stand, as is Stuart Slater.

If Celtic had wanted to buy an out and out winger they could have got one for a lot less money than they paid for these two.

Hearts, for a little spell, almost got themselves caught up in the lethargy displayed by their opponents, but they had enough good professionals to ensure they didn't fall into the trap and at the end of the day were comfortable and worthy winners.

They sent their fans off into the evening sun with a spring in their step, while those wearing the green and white favours trudged wearily away, heads down, and harbouring dark thoughts.

Smith could hardly believe he had reached his special goalkeeping milestone with so little effort on the day.

"It was one of my quietest days against Celtic," he said.

"It was a nice, comfortable 200th shut-out.

I think I only had to make one save in the first half.

"I expected Celtic to produce more in the second half, but it didn't happen.

Mind you, I'm not complaining.

I also have to say that our back four were tremendous -- very solid, and that gives us a great boost for Madrid."

The only goal of the match came after 62 minutes when young Gary Locke played a delightful lob into the penalty area and Justin Fashanu rose elegantly to head the ball into the path of Robertson, who steered it past Pat Bonner without breaking stride.

Said Robertson: "That was a very important result for us, especially after we had lost our two previous league matches.

I think we showed a great team spirit, battling away for one another, and we deserved to win.

We just didn't look like losing a goal, and when you have such a solid defence behind you it's a great incentive for going forward and pushing for a goal."

Locke continues to impress me as a young man with a bright future, and he is getting every encouragement from the experienced men around him.

Craig Levein, Alan McLaren, and Graeme Hogg all were outstanding.

Every Hearts player showed a commitment to the job, while Celtic stumbled through the afternoon unable to perform even the basics of the game.

There was more passion and concern from the dugout than there was from anyone who was supposed to be performing on the pitch.

Taken from the Herald