Clydebank 0
Hearts 3
League (Division 1)

Match Report

What a let-down. After weeks of patient building through hard work, skill and not little luck, Bankies slumped against a Hearts side which has inherited much more than just players from the Old Firm.

Under Alex MacDonald's guidance, and with Willie Johnston, Sandy Jardine and Roddie McDonald in the side, the Tynecastle men now have the ability to bury teams and humiliate them.

It's all down to arrogance, something which Rangers and Celtic have always had in abundance.

Clydebank let themselves be intimidated by the attitude of the experienced quartet and allowed players of half the ability and age to rip them apart.

Gary MacKay and John Robertson's combined ages just beats that of any one of the ex-Rangers men, yet they showed old heads in slotting away fine goals in each half to open and close the scoring.

And in midfield, Dave Bowman showed why so many clubs would like to ease Hearts' financial burden by luring him away from Gorgie Road.

The red-haired dynamo had the stamina and pace to take the weight of his partner and boss MacDonald and was just about the best player on the park.

Clydebank's talented youngsters could not respond and the side went down with barely a whimper, in front of Kilbowie's highest league crowd of the season. As early as the ninth minute, Gary MacKay raced into the box, to first-time a crossfield ball past Jim Gallacher.

Although Bankies fought back well towards the break, the best chance went abegging with Tom Coyne indecisive when faced with keeper Henry Smith, and it was no surprise when Hearts increased their lead after the interval.

Both McDonald and O'Connor seemed to be doing a bit of wrestling when a corner swung into the six- yard box, nevertheless, the centre-back nodded on to the striker and his head-flick beat Gallacher.

Any thought of a comeback vanished not long after when a brilliant Johnston pass was picked up by Scotland youth star John Robertson.

The winger with the famous name stepped inside to challenge before drawing Gallacher to shoot home. And that was that.

Bankies fans can curse all day about Hearts' attitude to the game, but it doesn't change the fact that on the day the Edinburgh side were far too good for Sammy Henderson's men.

And who would bet against them not only gaining promotion now, but actually picking up the title. Not me. Alex MacDonald has put together a very good team and, as I've said before, it's streets ahead of the shambles of last season.

Again let me pay tribute to the influence of the marvellous Sandy Jardine. As at Tynecastle in September, he was immense, in a quiet sort of a way. If that sounds a contradiction, then take the opportunity to watch him at sweeper someday. His contribution helped Hearts back into the second promotion spot and pushed Bankies into fourth place.

However, Bankies must still be considered as genuine candidates for the Premier League.. Despite the fact that Hearts again showed themselves to be a class above the Kilbowie men when it matters most, Jim Fallon and Co. are still as good, if not better, than most other sides in the division.

It's dangerous to put too much emphasis on one match, and while Saturday's clash was the proverbial four- pointer if ever there was one, there are another 25 games to go and only one against Hearts.

Saturday's performance was abysmal, although the fans will no doubt have other adjectives to describe it, but there will be plenty as of chances to make up for it.