Hearts reaction: Super Shankland strikes Airdrie double

Steven Naismith’s men breezed into a three-goal lead in the early stages at the Excelsior Stadium thanks to goals from Lawrence Shankland, Kenneth Vargas and Calem Nieuwenhof. Adam Frizzell pulled one back for the home side in the first half. Shankland grabbed his second and the side’s fourth midway through the second half. It is the seventh win in succession and extends the unbeaten run to 11 in all competitions. 

Joel and James look back at the Excelsior encounter:

Banana skin avoided

This had the potential to have been a tricky fixture for Hearts but Steven Naismith’s men made it look very straightforward. As a Championship outfit that take an admirable and progressive approach to the game, Aidrieonians supporters could be forgiven for heading into this one dreaming of a famous upset.

Those dreams were all but dashed midway through the first half when Calem Nieuwenhof put Hearts three up and cruising thanks to a terrific solo goal. The Aussie drifted right and drove down the wing unopposed before cutting inside and rifling a powerful shot into the bottom right corner.

The sizeable away support had seen enough. Any hopes of a premature cup exit were all but over, and they weren’t shy about letting it be known. “When Hearts go up to win the Scottish Cup we’ll be there,” came the cry - although perhaps one or two were feeling ever-so-slightly less confident when Adam Frizzell reduced the arrears a few minutes later. Stephen Kingsley, who mistimed his jump when challenging the Airdrie man, perhaps could have done more to prevent it.

Airdrie weren’t prepared to simply roll over, and continued building out from the back in the face of heavy pressure, but Hearts were still cruising and a comeback never looked likely. In the end, it was all very routine for Hearts.

Enjoyable watch

Hearts fans had become accustomed to waiting until after the interval to see their side find the back of the net. Since Lawrence Shankland had headed past Trevor Carson in a league match against St Mirren before Christmas, the only time the team had scored in the first half was Kenneth Vargas’ header against The Spartans in the last round of the cup. 

The sight of three goals in 21 first-half minutes was a treat. Of course, football is far more enjoyable when there is less stress. A three-goal lead provides a big bit of comfort. But as a whole, it was an entertaining game that was easy-on-the-eye. 

Airdrie started the game well and stuck to their guns even when 3-0 down. Manager Rhys McCabe playing at centre-back gave Mason Hancock a telling off for playing long down the line to no one. He wanted to see his left back play which they did for long parts. The home side’s approach to the game suited Hearts who took the opportunity to play more expansively. Lots of movement, fluidity and the ball zipped about. 

There was a sense the players enjoyed the extra space and freedom, contrast to the tight, deep and compact defences they face often in the league. 

New role, same old Shankland

The Hearts captain appeared to be operating in a free role as opposed to the No.9. Perhaps even a false 9. Kenneth Vargas and Alan Forrest were taking up central areas allowing Shankland to drop into pockets. 

The opening goal demonstrated that. It was Shankland who started the move, getting the ball on the halfway line, enticing two Airdrie players towards him before a deft we flick into Calem Nieuwenhof. From there it was a case of pop-pop-pop as the ball was worked forward at pace. Forrest was central, combining with Jorge Grant which opened space for Alex Cochrane to centre for who else but Shankland. 

There was real fluidity to the front three. Shankland was moving around, surveying for areas to link, play make and terrorise Airdrie. Forrest tended to float centre to wide and back again, while Vargas was more direct, making runs behind the Airdrie backline.

With both Grant and Nieuwenhof vacating central midfield roles to move wide there was plenty of space for Shankland to work in. 

The second half saw a more understated performance as the tempo dropped with the team prioritising control. But when he got a chance there was no doubting he would find the back of the net with a deft dink following fine work from Alex Cochrane and Scott Fraser. 

As fans know, he is the club’s best No.9, best No.10 and therefore best No.9.5. 

Halkett blow

Frankie Kent didn’t start a match for the first time in his Hearts career. Instead Craig Halkett partnered Stephen Kingsley at the centre of the back four. There was an early nervy moment when the ball bounced awkwardly off the turf but he managed to do enough to thwart danger. Then came a beautiful booming pass that sailed from his boot, over the head of Mason Hancock, and into the path of Kenneth Vargas. The Costa Rican managed to bundle the ball into the back of the net. He took the congratulations and so did Halkett with all his teammates making sure to recognise his role. 

The evening took a sour turn however. After 25 minutes, standing in his own box, he signalled to the Hearts bench. He needed to come off. The centre-back received some treatment on the pitch before walking off to be replaced by Kye Rowles. 

It is a sore one for Hearts take. And even worse for the player. He has worked his way back after missing nearly a year’s football. He had been building his minutes back up again, coming in and out the team. Starting some games, coming off the bench in others. It was always going to take time for him to reach the heights and influence of the 2021/22 campaign. He understood that and Steven Naismith, more than anyone, was well aware of that. 

Without knowing the extent of his injury it is a real blow for the player. Let’s hope it is nothing more than the most minimal of setbacks. 

READ MORE: Macaulay Tait's Hearts journey: Camps, getting kicked, No.6

Tagawa’s 45

The Japanese striker hadn’t featured since the 2-1 win over the Spartans in the previous round when he was subbed off during the second half after failing to make much of an impact whatsoever. The Spartans’ deep line and defensive tactics meant he wasn’t afforded much room to play in, though, so there were one or two asterisks attached to that particular performance.

With Hearts 3-1 up by the break against Airdrie and victory seemingly all but assured, Naismith took the view that this represented a fine opportunity for Tagawa to get some minutes under his belt. The centre-forward has been an unused substitute in the past few games, but was given the second 45 against Airdrie to show what he could do this time from a wider forward role. 

One again, though, Tagawa failed to truly seize his opportunity. Vargas was electric during the first half and causing Airdrie all sorts of problems on the right of the attack; Tagawa, by contrast, didn’t do much of note at all. He was afforded a lot more space than he was against Spartans - something that, on paper, suits his game - but the result was eerily similar. He didn’t see all that much of the ball and when he did, he usually opted for the safe option. A misplaced pass to Shankland from deep inside his own half was met with a chorus of groans from the away fans, and it was hard to blame them.

It was another peripheral performance from a player on the periphery of the first team, and yet another missed opportunity. Sooner or later, Tagawa is going to have to start seizing them.

Calm Calem 

On the flip side of summer signings, Calem Nieuwenhof may well be beginning to show fans exactly why he is so highly rated by Steven Naismith. For the second game running he was largely excellent. 

Of course, he scored a fine goal from the edge of the box. But it was another all-round performance where he covered plenty of ground, provided a passing option and used the ball well. 

Does he have a clear standout quality in the midfield? Probably not. But he does a lot of things well. He is efficient and is beginning to become even more effective. A key cog whose work may go under the radar but it gets done and done well.