Source: FOOTYMAD
Zaliukas villain and hero
Things are getting nervy as Hearts chase the security of a top six finish Yesterday’s 1-1 draw with St Mirren moved Hearts three points ahead of St Johnstone, who play Dundee United on Monday. They are both chasing a final top six place and it could go to the wire. After the game, JJ said: "Carey's delivery is exceptional and no goalkeeper's going to save that. I was angry it was a free-kick – (referee) Iain Brines said he saw something but Marius Zaliukas was up so high to win that header; it was fitting that he got the equaliser as he was outstanding today. There weren't a lot of great chances on either side in the first half so I thought it was a bit harsh that we came in 1-0 down as probably 0-0 was a fairer reflection on that first half. When you're 1-0 down to a team fighting for their lives you've got to pick yourself up; we couldn't just accept that and feel sorry for ourselves as this was a game we had to get at least something out of but wanted to win. Getting the early goal (in the second half) gave us the spur to go on and we played better in the second half, and we we could have broken away and sneaked it at the end but there was a great save from Calum Elliot at the back post. It was probably was a fair result, and it just makes it a little tighter, so we'll see how that result will pan out and how important the point was on Monday - whose hands the top-six place is in we don't know until that game's played. It was in our hands to win the two games and there was nothing St Johnstone could do. We've slipped up today but everybody knew this was a hard game away from home. St Mirren aren't an easy team to play against but we coped with it and that gives us another point so we just have to wait and see how it turns out.”Hearts had to play with Laryea Kingston due to flu symptoms and added of Ian Black, who was eventually substituted after being taken off following a clash of heads: "He (Black) had to swerve his car on Friday and jerked his back. While he was getting stitches, his back started to tighten. But he did well and worked hard while on the park and I'm sure it will clear up in time for the next game."
