B team

Fox: Everyone played their part

27 July 2024

Hearts B head coach Liam Fox believes Friday’s victory over East Stirlingshire was a complete squad performance, whilst admitting his side can play better.

 

The Wee Jambos dominated the early possession, but it was Shire who went ahead, against the run of play, when Greig Spence tapped home on 23 minutes.

 

The lead didn’t last long and after an own goal had the scores level at the break, Callum Sandilands completed the comeback on the hour mark.

 

Shire threw everything at Hearts in the closing stages, but they were done on the break as Mackenzie Ross sealed the points in stoppage time, before fellow sub, Dominic Plank rounded off the scoring with a wonderful solo strike.

 

Speaking to the Official Hearts Website at full-time, Fox said:

 

“Elements of the performance were okay, but we’ll definitely play better than that. We didn’t quite get our rhythm in possession. There was a wee spell when we played some longer passes. Longer passes are okay, but there was a spell when we seemed to overdo that.

 

“We got a bit nervous, but credit to East Stirlingshire. They made it difficult for us. They were aggressive, but what I will say is, we left players out tonight. Naturally, they’re disappointed but I thought the guys that came on really helped us. They were effective.

 

“Something we talk about is that we don’t call them subs, we call them finishers, because they finish the game. Ryan Duncan came on and gave us a grip in the middle of the pitch. Luke Rathie came on and was aggressive for us and Mack and Dom came on and scored.

 

“It’s a team game. We’ll get better than we were tonight, I know that, but to come away having scored 4 goals and got the 3 points, it’s an okay start.”