Dundee Utd 3
Morton 0
League Cup (Group Section 1)

Manager's Programme Notes

As everyone here last Saturday witnessed, the sight of 4000 supporters in the visitor's end (giving us a bigger crowd than either of Dundee's recent home games against Celtic and Rangers) showed the importance of a strong Hearts to Scottish football. The one blot on the afternoon, I am sad to say. was the behaviour of a few touts who tarnished the image of the travelling support. To be totally honest, the game itseif went more-orless as I expected, with our efforts from the Liege game taking their toll on some of our players. I did make a statement in some of the papers after the match in Belgium that all the players had worked hard but I was disappointed with Ralph Milne's performance in the last hour of that match and have spoken to the player to that effect. His performance last Saturday is the reason why he may not start tonight's match. When we are without Paul Sturrock it is essential that Eamonn Bannon and Ralph Milne attack in wide positions, unfortunately neither has been completely on song of late, but in Eamonn Bannon's case he continued to graft whereas Ralph Milne, unless he is running riot, doesn't work hard enough.

Davie Dodds form, too, has been disappointing, but again I have no complaints at his attitude. Paul Sturrock, Ralph Milne and Davie Dodds are as good as anything else in Scotland but with Paul Sturrock absent and Ralph Milne providing little support, it is not surprising Davie's form has suffered, Players are not stupid and there is a definite complacency amongst the forwards who know that their position is relatively safe, Tonight, irrespective of whether we have a new face in the ranks or not, I will continue to try and get players from elsewhere to put pressure on the good players already here at Tannadice. I will also hope to clear out a couple of fringe players who are wasting their time and mine whilst they remain at Tannadice. Unless there is vast improvement in the forward play in the next few matches we could find ourselves eliminated from two cup competitions. In recent matches most of the forward and midfield player's attitude has been great but the flair and ability requires to be displayed on a more regular basis. Richard Gough, Paul Hegarty and Dave Narey have all been absolutely outstanding bringing us most of our recent success. In welcoming Morton for this vital match, there must be no repeat of our dropped point at Cappielow, as we head for what looks will be a Fir Park decider at the end of next month.