Rotherham United 0-1 Hearts: McGlynn declares Hearts ready for big kick-off

Published on 30/07/2012 00:00

HEARTS secured a win in their final pre-season run-out before the SPL kick-off this weekend, thanks to another goal from John Sutton. It was the Englishman’s third strike out of four pre-season matches and was enough to give Hearts victory at the New York Stadium on Saturday.

Scorers: Hearts - Sutton (48)

His close-range finish after 48 minutes, set up by his new midfield support man Ryan McGowan, came after he also netted in friendlies against Raith Rovers and Dunfermline. And, having been cast aside by previous manager Paulo Sergio last season, Sutton appears certain to have played his way into John McGlynn’s starting XI for Saturday’s SPL opener at home to St Johnstone.

McGlynn said of the victory in South Yorkshire: “It was a great workout, Rotherham have been flying and we knew we’d get a test. That’s exactly what we were looking for. It was like a normal SPL game. Sutty managed to get on the end of Ryan McGowan’s cross for the goal and I feel we’re ready to go for the new season.”

Hearts teenager Callum Paterson saw Rotherham’s former Albion Rovers goalkeeper, Scott Shearer, stop his effort with his legs on four minutes and Andy Webster then headed Andy Driver’s corner over as the visitors had the better of the first half. McGowan’s persistence paid off just after the break when he dispossessed David Noble on the right flank to cross for Sutton, who prodded a right-footed finish beyond Shearer. Rotherham should have equalised instantly but ex-Aberdeen player Kari Arnason, a former Hearts trialist, headed into an open goal.

Meanwhile, Hearts supporters planning a Scottish Cup winners’ party at Easter Road on the second weekend of the season can buy their tickets for the eagerly-anticipated meeting with Hibs from this morning. Hearts are certain to sell out their near 4,000 allocation for the trip across the capital, which is still scheduled for Saturday, August 11, as they plan an afternoon of gloating after their historic 5-1 Hampden hammering of their rivals back in May. Hearts will start selling tickets, priced £28 and £17, to supporters with 50 or more loyalty points at 9am this morning, with any remaining being made available to those with 10 or more points on Friday.