Do Peter Haring and Andy Irving fit together in the same centre-midfield?

Can Hearts' two most impressive deep-lying midfielders play alongside each other effectively?

Hearts midfielder Andy Irving battles Gavin Swankie for possession during his side's 3-1 win over Arbroath. Picture: SNS

Peter Haring and Andy Irving are not exactly the same sort of player: they both favour spraying passes from deep, though Irving is more comfortable moving forward to support the attack; they are each big and broad, though Haring is smarter and more destructive defensively. But is that enough variation to make them the sort of partnership that can exceed or even equate the sum of their parts?

Against Arbroath we got our first look at the twosome playing in the same starting XI – or, at least, the first look since a league cup game against Cowdenbeath over two years ago.

At first glance it looked like an awkward fit, albeit in a system that was a little unusual for the Scottish Championship leaders. Without the ball they operated in a 4-4-2 with Irving, Steven Naismith and Olly Lee dropping alongside Haring to complete to banks of four. But in possession it was clear the aforementioned trio were granted license to get forward and support the front two in central areas, with the width provided by the full-backs and fluid movement from the front.

Hearts' attacking set-up against Arbroath.

Irving appeared a little unsure of himself moving ahead of play, taking up positions reminiscent of a traditional No.10 as he waited on the ball to be moved forward from a role he typically occupies.

It didn't always arrive quickly or accurately, either. Haring, making his first start in over a month, looked rusty in possession. His passing was erratic and he was chided by Neilson early in the first half for trying to squeeze the ball through a tight central area instead of spraying it out to either Michael Smith or Andy Halliday.

Both can play better and it would be interesting to see them paired in a 4-2-3-1. However, it's unlikely we'll see much of that in the near future. Using both Haring and Irving as sitters in the system, in the absence of a more adventurous centre-mid to cut through the lines, would probably be too negative for the second tier.

Other variations of a 4-4-2 we’d be more likely to see and would allow other attempts at this experiment. It’s worth persevering with, because if it clicks it can be something special.

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