Exclusive:Hearts profit from 'manager's dream'

Oisin McEntee was today labelled “a manager’s dream” after scoring Hearts’ winning goal against Dundee. The Irishman’s header 13 minutes from time on Saturday kept the Edinburgh club ahead of Rangers and Celtic at the top of the William Hill Premiership. The goal prompted the Tynecastle head coach Derek McInnes to extol McEntee’s qualities.

A shoulder injury hindered the player in recent weeks but he returned to action at Kilmarnock. Hearts lost 1-0 at Rugby Park and resumed winning form against Dundee to maintain their title quest with seven games remaining. McEntee will continue to play a key role having established himself as an integral member of the side since arriving from Walsall last summer.

McInnes spoke exclusively to the Edinburgh News to praise McEntee’s contribution and attitude this season. Although a central midfielder to trade, he has operated primarily as a right-back for Hearts. McInnes deployed him there against Dundee and reaped the rewards. McEntee produced a solid defensive display, including stifling the pacy visiting winger Tony Yogane, plus many marauding runs and crosses before heading the winner.

“You can't have 11 Oisin McEntees, but you need at least one of them,” said McInnes. “He is a manager's dream. He can play anywhere. He played right-back brilliantly on Saturday. He got on the outside of Yogane. We anticipated Yogane pressing [Hearts centre-back] Frankie Kent, because that's what Dundee like to do. We got Oisin on the outside and he put some good crosses in during the first half. He was always willing to get forward. One of Dundee's best players ended up being nullified. There were a lot of things ahead which helped, but McEntee was hugely influential in stopping him.”

Hearts lost Craig Halkett following a back spasm less than an hour before kick-off. His place beside Kent was taken by Michael Steinwender, who played his part in a fourth successive clean sheet at Tynecastle. McInnes was delighted with his back line and at seeing his team score from a set-piece. Marc Leonard’s free-kick was headed home by McEntee after Hearts’ set-plays prompted a team meeting last week to address a recent drop-off.

“We had good size about us. In training, when we named the team, we had Halkett, Kent, McEntee, Kabore, and even Braga who isn't shy,” explained McInnes. “We worked on certain things and I think it paid off. We always work on set-plays but firstly you are dependent on delivery. Without that, you will struggle. You need everybody to do everything right.

“Every team does their homework on opposition so they know what you are trying to do. But, fundamentally, set-pieces have never changed. You need the right delivery and then the determination to get on the end of it. That's what separated the two teams. We had quality delivery and determination from the big man. He's a big determined boy and it means so much to him. It was a brilliant moment for us when the ball went in.”