How a subtle change to Hearts' midfield sparked extra goals

Modern-day successors have much to live up to. At least they are making a belated start at finding the net. Three goals from midfield inside the last three weeks represents notable improvement from a department challenged by manager Robbie Neilson to start scoring.

After Cammy Devlin’s first Hearts goal at St Mirren last month came Beni Baningime’s maiden strike in maroon against the same opponents on Saturday. Peter Haring also registered his second goal of the campaign at the weekend – both of them in the Scottish Cup – to ensure he wasn’t being outdone.

Now, none of the above can lay a glove on the feats of Skacel, Hartley or Cameron. Nor are they likely to any time soon, for rippling nets is not considered their strongest attribute. That doesn’t mean they can’t contribute more often and cause more damage inside the opposition penalty area.

“We are always, always on at one of the centre midfielders to get into the box. It’s so important to the way we play,” Neilson told the Evening News. “Two of them managed to do it on Saturday, Cammy did it a couple of weeks ago, so hopefully that makes them realise it’s worthwhile.

“As coaches, we can talk about it and show them things but by getting a goal it might mean they continue to do it next time. We are pleased with it.

“We need the midfielders to contribute in that sense. I spoke about it a few weeks ago and said goals need to come from midfield. We had goals from attacking areas, goals from full-backs, goals from centre-halves. They also need to come from the midfield area. Hopefully this is just the start.

“The boys were joking in the dressing room that Baningime now has more goals than Barrie McKay. I have to say Barrie has been sensational for us, absolutely