The failure of the electricity supply in the neighbourhood of Fir Park a fortnight ago led to the cancellation of our game with Dundee United and last week’s international break followed. With the exception of Randolph, Francis-Angol, Ojamaa and Kerr who have racked up a pile of air miles with their respective national associations, the squad should be thoroughly rested and raring to go. Bumps and bruises should have healed and the manager will have no problems in selecting his best eleven with one exception, Cummins has still to see out his one match suspension.
McCall had selected a very attacking line-up for the United game with Higdon, Humphrey, Murphy and Ojamaa all included. Whether he’ll take the same view away from home remains to be seen. Our record in Gorgie suggests that we have every reason to hope that the correct attitude should earn a reward, we have lost only one of our last five appearances at Tynecastle.
Hearts have taken nine points from their nine starts this season and, by happy coincidence, occupy ninth place in the table. Three points would see them only one point behind us. Their talk is of ‘nae luck’ and that they are due a good run but there is no reason to believe that it will all turn around for them this weekend. Their inability to find the net and a lack of striking power is openly discussed by McGlynn – and he and some senior players are a month behind in wages.
The financial troubles will be at the back of players’ minds when they cross the white line on Sunday but we can give them even more to worry about and return along the M8 happy with a 1-0 win.
Remember our last trip to Tynecastle?