Derek McInnes hailed the impact of new Hearts hero Stuart Findlay after the defender’s third goal in two games sealed a dramatic late victory for the Tynecastle side and sent them top of the Premiership.
With ambitious investor Tony Bloom’s words about potentially splitting the Old Firm this season still ringing in their ears, the Gorgie men were trailing 2-1 to Dundee United at Tannadice before Findlay equalised in the 58th minute and then headed the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
The 29-year-old’s double, following his crucial goal in a 2-0 win over Aberdeen last Monday, maintained McInnes’ perfect start to life as Hearts manager with six straight victories so far in the Premier Sports Cup and league.
Having spent the previous two seasons at Kilmarnock under McInnes in a loan deal from Oxford United, Findlay is already thriving in a similar arrangement at Hearts.
‘I couldn’t get Stuart to score when I had him at Kilmarnock but he can’t stop now,’ said McInnes. ‘He’s a brilliant boy. First and foremost, I know he will do his job defensively week in, week out. But it’s great to see him getting a chance to shine and take plaudits from that side of it.
‘You can see the Hearts supporters are choking for heroes, they are desperate for the players to make them chant their name and earn that adulation.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes is delighted to see Stuart Findlay becoming a fans’ favourite
Findlay’s headed double against Dundee United took his scoring tally to three in two matches
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin says his team tired in the second half at Tannadice
‘Stu’s job is to stop the opposition’s best players from scoring and he does that time and time again, but he can score goals from set plays and I’m glad we’re getting a bit of a reputation for those.’
McInnes wasn’t wholly satisfied with his team’s display — after Lawrence Shankland’s penalty opener, they surrendered their lead to a double by United’s Ivan Dolcek — but was gratified by the manner of victory.
‘It wasn’t perfect but it was dramatic,’ he said. ‘There was some good and bad in the game. Ultimately, winning with a last-minute goal is always welcome.
‘The players had a responsibility and belief that something else would happen for them and would get that opportunity.
‘The game was just a bit too scrappy for me. We didn’t get any real rhythm. But we kept going and late winners are magic.
‘It illustrates a lot — the quality of our bench, the personality of the players and that real belief within the squad.’
United manager Jim Goodwin admitted his players ultimately felt the effects of their incredible 2-2 draw against Rapid Vienna in Austria last Thursday night.
‘We played really well in the first half but started to fatigue in the second half and drop that bit deeper,’ said Goodwin. ‘But we need to do better defensively as all of Hearts’ goals came from set pieces.’
