The euphoria amongst Hearts supporters following the full-time whistle at Tynecastle on Monday evening as they celebrated a monumental victory over Rangers should have just about worn off by the time they settle down to take in tonight’s clash against Motherwell.
In its place? Fear.
Yes, a visit to Easter Road to kick-off the post-split fixtures was always going to be a battle. Rangers at home a week later was always going to be a test of character. But the trip to Fir Park was always going to be the one fraught with the most danger. The one which could truly make or break their championship ambitions.
It seems a peculiar assertion to make given the Steelmen have won just one of their past seven games, and in that time have gone from a side tipped as an outsider for the title to one in danger of missing out on European qualification. On paper, it should be a gimme for the league leaders. A straightforward step towards the promised land.
Yet no one of a Hearts persuasion needs reminding of the huge task which awaits them in North Lanarkshire. Motherwell have given the Jambos more problems than anyone this season. Their performance at Tynecastle in late August was outstanding. For 65 minutes, at least. Hearts were fortunate to be only three goals down before Claudio Braga climbed off the bench to spark the most unlikely of comebacks to draw level.
Motherwell were by far and away the better side when the teams met again in November, but failed to convert their dominance into three points as it ended goalless. Last month, they deservedly went ahead in Edinburgh before passing up three golden opportunities to kill the contest stone dead. Hearts, as they’ve done so often, left it late to complete the comeback and keep their unbeaten home run intact.
That afternoon, the Tynecastle crowd played no small part in getting their side over the line. Approximately 4,500 of them will be at Fir Park this evening hoping to have the same impact. Motherwell’s home record isn’t quite as good as their opponents’, but it’s not far off, with Falkirk the only team to get back up the road with maximum points.
Celtic were swatted aside with relative ease in December, whilst Rangers were very lucky to escape with a share of the spoils on their last visit. Even with 10 men in the closing stages, the hosts were relentless in their pursuit of finding an equaliser — duly provided by Stephen Welsh.
In fact, ask any Celtic fan about which of the post-split fixtures gave them the most cause for concern, and Wednesday’s meeting at Fir Park would more than likely get the nod. Although Motherwell’s results have fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, the performances – like the one delivered in the outstanding 3-2 win at Ibrox a fortnight ago – have been decent.
Elliot Watt was the standout that day, and Hearts will need to come up with a plan to stop the deep-lying midfielder dictating things to the same extent that he has done in all three fixtures between the teams this season. The Jambos — just like everyone else — haven’t got anywhere near him.
It’s the same story for Elijah Just. The Kiwi is the best No.10 in the country by quite some distance, and for the neutral, is simply a joy to watch. Hearts have been guilty of giving Just far too much time and space to run the show in the final third. Braga and Lawrence Shankland got the headlines last time out, but the Motherwell playmaker was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch.
Sadly for Well fans, it would be a huge shock if either of the aforementioned pair were still wearing claret and amber next season. It wasn’t too long ago that Tawanda Maswanhise was the man in demand, but the goals have dried up for the Zimbabwean front man of late. Indeed, he has netted just once since the start of March.
Motherwell could do with their talisman rediscovering some form over the next week, and where better to start than under the lights against Hearts this evening?
The manager spoke earlier in the week about the importance of ensuring his side hold on to fourth spot having put in so much work to get there, so there will be no question that the Dane will have the players fired up. In truth, it would be a shame to see this team fall short.
If the rumours are to be believed, Askou will be offski in the summer. However, a few doubts may creep into the minds of any potential employers if he oversees a collapse over the coming seven days. With so much at stake regarding the future of both his club and himself, Askou admits trying to do favours for anyone in this title race is the last thing on his mind. But like it or not, he’s going to have a big say in deciding where the trophy ends up.
Hearts will have one hand firmly on it if they can pick up the points tonight.
