BAPTISM OF FIRE

Tynecastle bow does not follow the script for Cathro

IAN CATHRO was afforded all of 74 minutes of home comforts before the jeers rained down on him. A Hearts support stewing from a sterile second-half display vented their dismay at the withdrawal of scorer Bjorn Johnsen.

There were more boos as the final whistle confirmed an underwhelming Tynecastle bow for the new head coach. His vocal promises of ‘better’ from last week’s reverse at Rangers will have to wait another week to come to fruition.

However, the scorn served up would have been more severe from this tough crowd had it not been for an inspired series of saves from Jack Hamilton — fully franking his promotion to being Scotland’s squad goalkeeper.

For without him repelling Ade Azeez, Kris Doolan and substitute Chris Erskine from a dominant Partick Thistle, then Cathro would still be searching for his first point as manager when Hearts travel to Dens Park on Friday night.

Not for the first time this season, Thistle came away feeling they were due so much more for their efforts and the point plundered here was of no use to their hopes of escaping the relegation slot.

In addition to the heroics of Hamilton, Liam Lindsay sending a free header wide from six yards was agonising viewing for the visitors.

Yet for the first 45 minutes, Thistle were not at the races. Hearts were happy and while no one was cooing with joy, Cathro was comfortable with the rhythm in his ranks. That they completely lost their way after the enforced substitution of Prince Buaben and Sean Welsh’s 47thminute equaliser was alarming.

Back in more contented times of the 17th minute, one of Cathro’s two team changes was vindicated as Liam Smith, in for Faycal Rherras, provided an assist for the first goal of the era. Reworking from a corner, left-back Smith popped up on the right to whip over a delightful delivery to the penalty box.

This was perfect fodder for the giant Johnsen who towered above Lindsay to steer a header down low past Tomas Cerny. Rherras had been culpable at the second Rangers goal last week and the Hearts players went about their first half business in a bid to ensure they wouldn’t give the head coach a chance to ditch them over the festive period.

If Kevin Clancy had read of Cathro’s calm approach then the fourth official must have wondered who this fuming character in the technical area was. An animated Cathro left Clancy in no doubt about his distaste of Azeez’s use of the elbow and was invited to restrain his protests.

Hearts would have lifted the mood of their boss, and what became a most anxious audience, as the game wore on by converting the string of opportunities created during a forceful spell before the break.

Callum Paterson prompted Jamie Walker who, in turn, fed Don Cowie on the right and Arnaud Djoum was able to take a touch by the Thistle defenders before forcing Cerny into a fine save. Igor Rossi’s header cannoned off the crossbar from a Cowie’s resultant corner.

So when Conor Sammon was an interval introduction for the injured Buaben, it appeared Hearts were preparing to pour it on. Before the switch was able to take effect and Hearts could recapture their foothold, however, Thistle were level.

Hamilton had barely broken sweat in the first half but he was soundly beaten by Welsh stooping to head a Ryan Edwards cross home and recording his fifth goal of the season.

Azeez has only two goals for all his graft up front this season and his ace chance to steal the lead had a fairly typical outcome. Hamilton’s save with the right boot was impressive but Azeez should have buried the shot.

An Edwards right-foot drive fizzed wide, Callum Booth smacked the crossbar before Hamilton showcased his skills.

The stunning save of the day came from a disbelieving Erskine who must have been convinced his crisp connection was set for the top corner of the net, only for the 22-year-old to claw clear for a corner on his line.

From the flag kick, Lindsay skewed his free header yards wide. The visiting support have been in this movie many times this season when three points were up for grabs.

And when Hamilton sprang out so quickly to make himself big and block from Doolan, here was confirmation that another weekend had passed without Thistle gaining what they deserved to help them in that bizarre bottom six scrap.

Hearts, however, scarcely threatened to give Cathro a soothing, successful start to life at Tynecastle.