Peter Haring class, Andy Halliday influence, Josh Ginnelly's amusement - Hearts v Alloa Athletic look back

A look back at Hearts’ 3-0 win over Alloa Athletic

Peter Haring was Hearts' man of the match in the win over Alloa. Picture: SNS

Star Man

It can only be one man. Peter Haring was brought back into the team following the 2-1 defeat to Dunfermline Athletic and displayed the qualities which make him such a key cog as the midfield pivot in front of the defence.

Early on he was stepping across opponents to win the ball or going to ground with the usual precision to regain possession or nick the ball away. His presence is massive as a midfield base. His height and build just makes him a daunting barrier for opposition teams.

Haring even got on the scoresheet, his first goal for the club in just shy of 600 days.

There was a moment of concern late on with the player taking a couple of sore ones. He had to finish the game as an attacking midfielder due to his lack of movement following one robust challenge.

Key moment

Hearts started brightly and went ahead early on before passing up a couple of decent openings to build on that lead. However, the home side encountered a period of play where a number of players were really sloppy in different ways. Just when Alloa were getting a foothold in the game the Championship favourites showed their quality.

Liam Boyce missed his penalty not once, but twice following a retake. Picture: SNS

A period of patient possession was finished with Liam Boyce laying on Andy Halliday, who was excellent breaking from deep, for a lovely goal to all but finish the game at 2-0.

In hindsight

Were Hearts wrong to let Anthony McDonald leave? Of the players Robbie Neilson has fielded wide this campaign, only Josh Ginnelly has suggested he has what it takes to impress consistently.

Ref watch

Grant Irvine – a new name to this writer – seemed to get all the major decisions correct. He correctly booked Ally Graham in the first half and was perfectly placed for the decision on Liam Boyce’s penalty. There could be no complaints about the decision to give Olly Lee a yellow card.

Laugh of the match

Josh Ginnelly was in attendance walking around the Main Stand and at the side of the pitch before the game. The winger, who has been missing since the 1-0 win in Arbroath a month ago, was in good spirits talking to team-mates and staff, even having a lengthy discussion with Alloa striker Liam Buchanan.

He really enjoyed a moment late in the second half when Boyce, not long after missing the penalty, was nutmegged in the middle of the pitch. Ginnelly let out an excitable noise which suggests the striker will be reminded about it at training.

Moment(s) you may have missed

Andy Halliday was one of the Hearts players who came in for criticism following the Dunfermline Athletic game after being run out of East End Park by Kyle Turner. But in a more advanced role at Tynecastle he was excellent. Not only did he set up the first and score the second, but there were two moments which offered further encouragement.

In the first half he made an excellent darting run into the box but was left frustrated when he wasn't played in by Jamie Walker. Before being subbed, it was his penetrative pass which played in Boyce to win the penalty. A moment overshadowed by the subsequent penalties.