Hearts boss calls for patience after draw

An opening-day draw at home to St Johnstone prompted jeering from a faction of home supporters, but signs of encouragement were aplenty throughout the afternoon.

For a start, Calum Elliot scored a goal. Secondly, the hosts spent most of the second half camped in opposition territory - clearly in control and monopolising possession. Thirdly, the newly-recruited attacking partnership of Kevin Kyle and Stephen Elliott showed promise after both players appeared as substitutes despite being short of optimum fitness.

It should also be remembered that St Johnstone fielded a full-strength team, whereas Hearts were missing six likely starters at kick-off - Kyle and Stephen Elliott, plus the injured Andy Driver and suspended trio of Ryan Stevenson, Eggert Jonsson and Ismael Bouzid.

Yes, there is a nagging frustration around Gorgie that Steven Anderson's dismissal 16 minutes from full-time did not allow the hosts to overwhelm the remaining ten men in blue.

There was plenty huff and puff but, apart from Michael Duberry's late clearance as Stephen Elliott waited to convert Kyle's header, little in terms of clear scoring opportunities.

Nevertheless, if Calum Elliot can derive confidence from scoring during a fine overall performance, and if Kyle and Elliott can form the kind of partnership hinted at during their cameo appearance together, then the midfield dominance will sooner or later be converted into goals . . . and consequently points.

"We were the team looking like we'd win the game," said Jim Jefferies, the Hearts manager. "I've seen it 1,000 times when someone is sent off, the other team sits in and St Johnstone were very strong and stubborn.

"They just knocked it up front to stem the flow and didn't create openings for themselves.

"You look for one opportunity and it came when Novikovas played it in and Kyle knocked it back. Duberry got in in front of (Stephen] Elliott and it was a magnificent clearance.

"There are positives when you think about the players we had out. We had efforts at goal, crosses coming in and their defence dealt with it all well.

"We weren't at our strongest and they were, so there are a lot of pluses."Jefferies was rightly upset at the concession of St Johnstone's goal less than 60 seconds after Calum Elliot had broken the deadlock.

Derek McInnes had been forced into a defensive reshuffle when full-back Danny Grainger collided with Calum Elliot and subsequently a post.

He was stretchered off to hospital but the reorganisation did not unsettle anyone from Perth.

Calum Elliot converted Lee Wallace's cross with a well directed header on 45 minutes. However, St Johnstone equalised direct from kick-off as the home defence relaxed at the worst possible juncture. Grainger's replacement, Cleveland Taylor, scampered down the left and delivered for Sam Parkin, on his club debut, to nod past Marian Kello.

"The next five minutes after we scored were the most vulnerable," continued Jefferies. "From their point of view it's a great goal.

"We didn't win the first header, didn't stop the cross and didn't defend it when the ball came in. That's three errors for us.

"I had a word with Darren Barr at half-time because of it and I don't think he lost a ball in the second half.

"Blackie also won his battle with Jody Morris in midfield, I thought. Jody was a bit quieter as we had earmarked him before the match."

Anderson cemented Suso from behind 16 minutes from time and was dismissed amid much hilarity. Referee Stevie O'Reilly lost grip of his red card whilst brandishing it at the defender and it spun into the air.

As the official scrambled around on the turf, Kyle and Stephen Elliott sensed the chance for instant adulation against a weakened defence.

Kyle sustained a bad gash to his eye during an aerial challenge and had to return up the tunnel to stem the pouring blood.

There was no stopping him returning, though. "We didn't want him stitched because time was running out. We just said, 'put a pad on it, wrap it up and get him back out.' I'm sure he's had plenty of those in his time," said Jefferies.

"Calum Elliot had a great game but we did need a wee change. When Kevin came on he nearly scored. He has a good record against St Johnstone but only trained one day last week. He will just get better, so will Stephen Elliott who had a hectic week with the birth of his daughter and signing for Hearts."

McInnes departed Tynecastle with mixed emotions. He was understandably pleased at the resilience shown by his team but felt referee O'Reilly was guilty of inconsistency. Suso had been booked rather unfairly for diving as he appeared to be caught in a tackle, but although McInnes agreed with that decision he directed most of his ire at Anderson.

"The sub (Stephen] Elliott came on and blatantly took Collin Samuel out," he said. "If you're not attempting to play the ball it's a yellow card, I thought that was a poor decision. But the referee got a lot right. The booking of Suso was spot on and I'm delighted to see that.

"The sending off changed everything. It was a really stupid challenge from Steven Anderson. You always see more reds cards on the first day of the season but he has to learn because he put his team-mates up against it.

"He made the referee make a decision but he's not a kid any more. The boys all stood up to the challenge. Apart from the chance under the bar from Elliott, I'm delighted to get a point.

"Our new additions played their part and we bounced back quickly and showed resilience after losing a goal. We never knew we were beaten last season.

"I wasn't pleased with how we started. We knew Hearts would come after us and I think this will be a far tougher venue for teams to come. I thought they were the better side without creating too much, so I was glad to get the equaliser."