The blunderer from Tynecastle expects most clubs to sit down and defend their lives against Hearts the same way Cowdenbeath does
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Robbie Neilson has warned Hearts will have to get used to what teams make it difficult for them this season after beating Cowdenbeath 1-0 in the Betfred Cup
Craig Halkett’s ball header 12 minutes from time saved the Jambos’ blush before Jamie Walker missed a time-out penalty
Neilson’s side were never in real danger of losing the game, but worked hard to smash their Ligue 2 opponents for most of the game
When they succeeded their finish was far from deadly, but the manager thinks it’s a good indication of what the league favorites will face this season
« It’s going to be like that this season, » he said « There will be a lot of teams who sit down with two banks of fours and make it difficult for you and leave your middle halves on the ball
« It’s up to us to move the ball faster and get used to the surface
We’ll play on this when we’re in Alloa, Raith Rovers and Queen of the South
« For us that was a good indication of what it was going to look like in some games
« Another day we might have scored two or three points, but we weren’t. We got into some good areas and Cowdenbeath defended really well »
Andy Irving’s call to Scotland’s Under-21 team saw teenager Scott McGill make his Hearts senior debut, and Neilson was impressed with the midfielder
« He was about to start, but we got a phone call last night and he got the call, which is great for Andy, » Neilson said
« But we brought in Scott McGill for his debut, which was great for the kid and I thought he did really well It’s an opportunity for him »
« I thought we had a penalty in the first half, » he said « Probably more than what Hearts received a penalty for »
Heart of Midlothian FC, Cowdenbeath FC, Craig Halkett, Robbie Neilson, Bayview Stadium
World News – GB – Neilson triggers Hearts warning as he urges players to learn the lesson of Cowdenbeath
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com