Hearts, United at last begin to shape up

RAY HEPBURN

8 Nov 1993

THE league positions currently occupied by Hearts and Dundee United may not be inducing mass celebrations among their supporters, but they do not tell the whole story.

On the evidence contained in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Tynecastle there is every possibility that sixth and eighth places will be improved upon substantially by the end of the season.

Hearts, with Maurice Johnston so enthusiastic and effective in attack, are a transformed team since he ended his exile from first-team football at Everton.

Dundee United, perhaps, can still be accused of being nearly a team, but manager Ivan Golac is inching ever closer to constructing a consistent, fluent unit.

United were admirably adaptable on Saturday.

Seeking to capitalise on Craig Levein's absence, they had Andy McLaren and Alec Cleland firing in crosses from both wings.

Abandoning their usual passing style for the day, they had the towering Craig Brewster and Christian Dailly causing much discomfort as they met the crosses in the air.

Indeed, McLaren and Cleland started so well that they disrupted Hearts' game-plan by pushing midfield players Gary Locke and Tosh McKinlay back alongside their three central defenders.

During the opening 20 minutes United might have established a winning position.

Nicky Walker, with the slightest touch, lifted a blistering Dailly shot on to the bar after two minutes to deny them.

The tactical joust changed with Locke and McKinlay forcing their immediate opponents to defend, and Hearts celebrated their period of ascendency with Johnston's first goal for the club.

It is in attack that Hearts have improved so dramatically with John Robertson and John Colquhoun being transformed by Johnson's presence.

It was fitting that United equalised, however, and perhaps it was significant that substitute John O'Neil should do the trick.

That old failing in front of goal seemed likely to plague them, until the freshness of the winger took advantage of good work by Brewster.

It all meant that United have not won at Tynecastle in their last 17 league visits, spanning an astonishing 8[1/2] years.

Although that will perplex Golac, he won't be too concerned if United pick up on Saturday's improvement and carry it into the rest of the season.

For Sandy Clark, after a stuttering start to the campaign, a week containing a victory over Hibs and draws against Rangers and United, signposts a successful first full season as manager.

Taken from the Herald