Tough Luck for Hearts as Winning Streak Ends in Dundee

Even more injuries and a deflected goal sent Hearts to their first loss in four weeks, stunting the progress made under new manager Jim Jefferies. The 1-0 defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice Park on Sunday came compliments of a Morgaro Gomis (pictured) goal on 78 minutes, his third in two, preventing Hearts from stealing an away point on a day when even exiled José Gonçalves and Christian Nadé were given spots on the field. The Jambos are now seven points adrift of even fifth place as all three clubs above won over the weekend. All is not lost but with the injury crisis deepening every week, Hearts will be lucky to keep up with the top five much longer.

Jefferies was forced to play his exiled players as injuries, even right up to game time, have continued to ravage Hearts. Skipper Michael Stewart was slated to play but could not make it through pre-game training with a niggling calf injury. The captain’s armband was thus given to Lee Wallace who played with thick wraps on his head and arm due to deep cuts earned last week. Paul Mulrooney was called upon to replace Stewart in the midfield but he succumbed to cramps late in the match. Mulrooney did perform very well, probably the best performance on the day for the visitors, and his shot in the first half nearly gave Hearts and early lead. But it was not to be, as Calum Elliot required treatment just two minutes into the game and David Obua forced the usage of the training staff as well. Gonçalves nearly did in his side with an own-goal in a return to the pitch that was forgettable and perhaps the last in a Hearts kit.

Ultimately it was a match that was lost on a bit of bad luck by a tired, depleted team. Hearts have put up a brave face for most of this calendar year but as the inexplicable rash of injuries continue, the going just doesn’t get any easier for the Jambos. Hearts travel to Fir Park this weekend for a tie with fifth place Motherwell before returning to Tynecastle for the Edinburgh Derby against fourth place Hibs and a match with league leaders Rangers to close out March. If the Jambos are able to secure even four points from the next three it would be considered a fair run. And with a seven-point gap for even fifth place, that means sixth place could end up being the final resting place for these Hearts.

Category: Heart of Midlothian, SPL