A last-minute Bruce Anderson equaliser was enough to dent Hearts’ title dream as Kilmarnock snatched a point at Tynecastle.
Scotland’s “tap-in talisman”, Lawrence Shankland’s sublime strike at the beginning of the second half, looked as though the Gorgie boys had taken all three points, but Killie came to haunt their former manager by scoring at the death to secure a much-favoured point.
Hearts aimed to get back to winning ways after failing to win their last three league games. With the Celtic Bhoys closing in on Hearts, and with a game in hand, this was a must-win game for the Jambos. Derek McInnes made six changes to his side that drew away at Motherwell over the weekend. In an attempt to rescue their title hopes, Frankie Kent, Landry Kabore, Alan Forrest, and Christian Borchgrevink were all returning to the starting lineup.
The visitors were winless in their last seven, and the Ayrshire side hoped to halt their former managers’ title hopes and gain some pivotal points in a bid to move off 10th in the league. Manager Stuart Kettlewell made four changes from the side that drew against Dundee United at Rugby Park the weekend prior. With Tom Lowery, Scott Tiffoney, Greg Kiltie and Tyreece John-Jules.
Tributes to outgoing Hearts Chairman Ann Budge were played around Tynecastle before kick-off, with her last official match in the role. 12 years ago, she took over the Club, facing permanent liquidation. Now she leaves the club top of the Men’s Scottish Premiership and second in the Women’s Scottish Premiership. Calum Paterson will now officially take over as club Chairman.
Just before kick-off, Hearts paid a touching tribute to a much-loved member of staff, Gary Kirk, who sadly passed away last month. With a minute’s applause to remember him.
First Half
After nearly a month away from Tynecastle, Hearts dominated the opposition’s box, winning an early free kick in a favourable position, 10 yards right of the box, taken by Kyziridis, which then resulted in a corner.
In the 16th minute the first chance came in the match; a near miss from Shankland as Kabore eased the ball into the path of the Scottish international, he crossed it to the left-hand corner, and Oluwayemi was forced to come off his line and comfortably save it.
Hearts began to fall away after 20 minutes, with a stop-start game, including lots of corners, free kicks and a risky challenge on Cammy Devlin which saw the Australian international sent flying.
Kilmarnock were compact in their shape, defending well and limiting Hearts’ inventive forward play as they searched to break the deadlock. In the 38th minute, Killie’s James Brown had the best chance of the half, after missing the goal from close range, from a rebound off Schwolow.
In an almost unheard-of quirk of the modern game, there was no added time in the first half. At the break, Celtic were already one-nil up at home against Dundee, so McInnes had to act swiftly, but decided to make no changes from the first half.
Second Half
McInnes must have had a stern word with his team as Hearts came out raring to go, and it didn’t take long for the first goal of the match to arrive.
In the 48th minute, Tomas Magnusson charged forward, passing a low ball towards Kabroe, who sprung over the ball and fell onto an oncoming Shankland, who ruthlessly struck the ball into the top corner.
Hearts almost had a chance to double their lead just ten minutes later, a wonderful Milne corner saw defender Mangusson spring up to head, but it hit the woodwork of Oluwayemi’s goal.
Kilmarnock made some alterations to their side in the 70th minute to try and challenge Hearts. McIness also made some attacking changes, bringing on Braga and Spittal.
Shankland sent a low strike from distance, just missing the post again. Another wasted chance for the home side, but they weren’t giving up and refused to let Kilmarnock’s style of play wear them down.
But a sickening punchline in the 90th minute was to arrive.
Alexander Schwolow was unable to deal with a long-range Liam Polwarth strike, Bruce Anderson capitalised on the rebound and tucked away a low-distance strike, dealing a blow to Hearts’ hopes. After a VAR intermission, it was a close onside call; the goal looked like it could be ruled out, stomping on Killie’s celebrations. However, a few minutes later, the referee gestured “onside” and Hearts had less than 5 minutes to rescue the tie.
But the final whistle sounded with no more action. It was full-time Hearts 1-1 Kilmarnock.
Post-Match Interview- Derek McIness:
‘The goal just came out of the blue, really, it’s a save that should be made, we all know that, Alex knows that. It’s a sore one for us in the context of the run that we’ve been on. A 1-0 Shankland would have just been what the doctor ordered, and just to get a clean sheet.’
Ahead of the Jambos’ trip to Celtic Park at the weekend, McIness spoke about the new manager, Wilfried Nancy.
‘How he changes it, I don’t know, he got a certain style of play he wants to play, and it’s different to the shape they currently play, whether he can impart that over a couple of days, who knows.’
‘Celtic Park is always a tough game, one to look forward to, we’d rather go into that fixture with a win.‘
Post Match: Bruce Anderson:
‘We’ll take some momentum from getting a last-minute goal, you get that feel-good factor, there is no reason now why we can’t get three points (against Rangers). We’ve got a bit of confidence back about us, and we’ll definitely try and get all three points on Saturday.’
Looking Ahead
Martin O’Neill’s last game in interim charge saw Celtic close that 8-point gap, which he inherited when he took over as temporary manager. A 1-0 over Dundee was enough to secure all three home points; now Hearts are level on points, only leading on goal difference.
Hours later, Celtic announced their new boss, Wilfried Nancy, the MLS manager, will now face Hearts at home, in a decisive game for the Premiership.
Kilmarnock will aim to continue their pick up in form as they host Rangers at home on Saturday evening.
