Hearts were beaten 3-1 by Everton in a pre-season friendly at Tynecastle on Sunday.
The home side’s Callum Paterson scored the opening goal after just nine minutes when he headed home Kevin McHattie’s corner. However, the English Premiership side, containing many of their first team stars, soon took control of the game.
Lukaku equalised with a penalty kick which was controversially awarded by referee Willie Collum – not the first time the word ‘controversial’ has been associated with the whistler. Barry’s effort on goal was blocked by Hearts new captain Alim Ozturk but Mr Collum decreed the defender had handled the ball and awarded the spot kick.
Ten minutes before half-time, Lukaku grabbed his second from some ten yards out to put the visitors in front. Early in the second half, the talented Belgian grabbed his hat-trick with another penalty kick after McHattie brought down Mirallas.
Hearts were well beaten in the end and Head Coach Robbie Neilson has much to ponder ahead of Thursday evening’s League Cup tie with Arbroath at Tynecastle.
It was a delight to see Hearts and Everton legend Alex Young on the Tynecastle pitch. Young, nicknamed ‘The Golden Vision’, was an integral part of Hearts all-conquering team of the 1950s before he moved to Everton. The gifted player, now 78, received a standing ovation from both sets of supporters.
Meanwhile, Hearts have confirmed that forward Soufian El Hassnaoui has been ruled out for four months after picking up a knee ligament injury in a pre-season friendly at Preston last weekend.
Hearts: Alexander (Hamilton, 77′), Paterson, McHattie, McGhee, Ozturk (King, 46′), Rossi (L. Smith, 69′), Gomis (Anderson, 67′), McKirdy (Buchanan, 78′), Nicholson, Walker (Oliver, 78′), Sow (Reilly, 65′).
Referee: Willie Collum.
Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874
