Mackay-Bett midfield link works wonders

RAY HEPBURN

28 Dec 1994

HEARTS manager Tommy McLean last night admitted that his first crack at selecting a winning team against Partick Thistle on Monday had been flawed.

The Edinburgh side struggled in the opening 45 minutes against Thistle at Tynecastle, but the goals flowed only after the introduction of longest serving player Gary Mackay.

The 30-year-old who has spent 14 years with the Edinburgh club replaced full back Colin Miller.

"We lacked creativity in midfield and I was partly to blame for that," said McLean.

"After Gary came on he gave Jim Bett the support he needed and our play opened up."

The former Scotland player, who doubles as an executive in the club's commercial department, was clear about the importance of the 3-0 victory.

"With five matches in two weeks coming up in the new year we were desperate to avoid going into that schedule off a defeat," he said.

"Last year we spent the second half of the season battling at the bottom end of the table, and it wasn't a pleasant experience."

The Edinburgh team now face Aberdeen and Hibs over the weekend.

Taken from the Herald