THIS game should be viewed as an object lesson on the intricacies of motivation.
It was about whether the promise of something positive represents a greater incentive than the threat of something negative.
The case study involved Hearts, a side who required only a solitary point to secure a top-six finish in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, and Kilmarnock, who were desperate for any tangible result to help consolidate their place in the division.
It was not the end result – a reasonably comfortable 1-0 win for the Edinburgh side – but the nature of it which suggests that footballers who are gunning for success, regardless of the degree, evidently respond better.
Hearts were hardly a rampant force but they displayed a greater determination and endeavour while, crucially, notching a goal.
That strike came on 32 minutes when Eggert Jonsson embarked on a marauding run which resulted in the ball spinning free in the penalty area. A static Kilmarnock defence failed to clear and Suso Santana slotted a low shot into the corner for only his fifth goal this season.
It should not have been the only occasion on which his side found the net. Christian Nade was presented with a number of opportunities to make Hearts’ afternoon a little more comfortable but squandered all of them.
The Frenchman’s bloopers included a poor finish after sterling work from Ruben Palazuelos and an unforgivable miss when gifted a chance at a corner. His afternoon was brought to a close – to the ironic applause of supporters – midway through the second half.
Other than that there was little for Jim Jefferies, the Hearts manager, to complain about – which was probably heartening given that he had to conduct his business under the watchful eye of Vladimir Romanov, the club’s controversial owner, making a rare appearance at Tynecastle.
“We were a wee bit sloppy in
front of goal,” said Jefferies. “But sometimes you’ve
got to grind out a result and Hearts don’t have a good
record of doing that but they did it today. That shows
you that they are all working for the cause and they are
battling.
“It was just one of those days when you have to grind out a result. We’ve done it today so that’s encouraging.”
For Kilmarnock there is a lot less to be happy about, especially after Falkirk clawed their way out of the relegation spot and possess some impetus going into the final stage of the season.
The Rugby Park side staged the habitual late rally but even then Jamie MacDonald was little more than an idle spectator in the Hearts goal. Conor Sammon had nodded over after only three minutes, then Manuel Pascali watched as his header was beaten away by MacDonald. But these chances were all they could muster.
It should not be presumed that Kilmarnock lacked effort, but Jimmy Calderwood, the manager, believes that his players will have to adapt their attitudes if they are to safely navigate through their final fixtures.
“It has to come from within,” he said, when asked about what his side will have to do to arrest their current form. “They need to be getting on to people if they’re not doing their jobs and getting on to people if they’re not winning tackles.
“We’re too nice about each other. The good teams will get on at each other and shout at each other and won’t accept, for lack of a better word, crap from other players.”
