Former Hearts star points to 'concern' with current team after Dunfermline loss

Former Hearts captain Michael Stewart believes manager Robbie Neilson should be ‘concerned’ with the lack of pace in his starting XI following Friday night’s 2-1 loss to Dunfermline.
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The defeat cost the visitors their hundred percent record as they fell four points behind Stevie Crawford’s side at the top of the table, albeit with a game in hand.

The clear favourites for the Scottish Championship title were sluggish at East End Park as goals from Dom Thomas and Euan Murray gave the hosts a comfortable advantage before Stephen Kingsley reduced the arrears late on.

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In particular, the energetic midfield pair of Kyle Turner and Kerr McInroy caused Hearts problems all night with their tempo and dynamism.

Steven Naismith tries to get around Dunfermline's Lewis Mayo during Friday's defeat. Picture: SNSSteven Naismith tries to get around Dunfermline's Lewis Mayo during Friday's defeat. Picture: SNS
Steven Naismith tries to get around Dunfermline's Lewis Mayo during Friday's defeat. Picture: SNS

Missing speedster winger Josh Ginnelly, as the summer signing continues to sit out through injury, Neilson’s men struggle to muster any consistent threat in the final third and ultimately paid the price.

Stewart fears without the Preston loanee there is a real lack of balance in the Hearts set-up.

He said on BBC Radio Scotland: “The problem for Hearts is they lacked any real dynamism or pace in the side. They were also slow in their passing.

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“There’s elements of it where they can bring others in to speed the game up, but it’s about getting the right balance in the team. That comes from getting some pace into the team.

“They had it a little in the first half with Frear and Wighton, but they are two players who I think don’t understand and recognise how they can affect the game. They play on the periphery.

“You see the difference with Dom Thomas, in that second half, where he’s recognised how he can go and make a difference in the game. Hearts need that.

“They’ve been crying out for it for years. Josh Ginnelly does that, obviously he’s out of the side at the moment. You see the difference he’s made and, not to over-emphasis his importance to the team, but it just shows you, when you get the balance right, what a difference it can make.

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“In that Hearts side at the moment, the team that finished, they lack any real pace. That’s a concern.

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