Juanma’s making an instant impact at Hearts

Juanma Delgado has taken little time to establish himself in Scottish football. The Spaniard has scored three goals in first two games; has managed to rile up an opponent enough for him to sound like a UKIP spokesman; and has Heart of Midlothian supporters drooling at the prospect of a possible top-four finish. Robbie Neilson has even called him a ‘marked man’ because of his dominating performances. Not a bad start.

It’s also a brilliant start for him based on his record. His seven league goals for AEL Kalloni last season is his best return – unless injuries or a sudden drop in form stop him, he’s on course to break that. He’s adapted to the Scottish game in remarkable fashion. He didn’t even have to wait four minutes before opening his account last weekend.

Poor Brad McKay, having left Hearts for regular football, and making his debut for St Johnstone, slipped under no pressure, and watched on as Juanma collected the loose ball, remained cool as Alan Mannus charged out his net, and slotted the ball past the outrushing ‘keeper.

Juanma continued to give McKay a torrid time throughout the game. The Saints centre-back struggled against the imposing frame of the 6ft 3inch striker, who would outmuscle the defender one minute, and then drop to the grass at the slightest of touches the next. He’ll be a constant frustration for defenders this season.

When Kevin McHattie replaced the striker on the 77^th minute, Hearts supporters gave a standing applause to the goalscorer; McKay probably sighed in relief.

At the weekend Hearts travelled to Dens Park to face Dundee; another club with top four ambitions. Both clubs got off to great starts on the opening weekend, with Hearts pipping St Johnstone in a thrilling 4-3 epic and Dundee thrashing Kilmarnock 4-0, making this an unpredictable fixture. Would Juanma pose more of a threat than the impotent Killie?

Hearts adopted a more defensive approach against the Dees. Alim Ozturk featured as a holding midfielder, ahead of Blazej Augustyn and Igor Rossi. Prince Buaben and Morgaro Gomis started as part of a midfield three, with Jamie Walker to the right, meaning Sam Nicholson dropped to the bench.

For the most part, Dundee had the better of the chances in the first-half. Kane Hemmings forced Neil Alexander into a good save, having weaved through the Hearts defence. One minute later, Stewart hit a short cross into Hemmings, who powered his header past the ‘keeper. Not one Hearts’ defender had marked the Dundee striker – questions about their defence still need to be asked. All of this kept Juanma as a peripheral figure. Neilson had got his tactics wrong.

The Spaniard was working with scraps. Outnumbered, he stood little chance of creating something from Alexander’s long-balls. But one of his specialities is his ability to create something out of nothing; that delicate little touch that sparks a chance of a goal. One such moment should have led to an equaliser. Buaben’s cross landed outside the box; Juanma, his back to goal, took a beautiful first-time touch to send Walker through one-on-one with Scott Bain; but the Hearts’ attacker hit his first shot straight at the ‘keeper and headed the rebound straight over the crossbar.

The cultured Julen, Dundee’s former East Fife centre-back, made Juanma’s job tougher. He kept tight to the striker and marked him at long-balls, stopping him from making the most out his limited time in possession. Hearts just couldn’t seem to gain a foothold in that final third.

He almost grabbed an equaliser before half-time, bursting into the box to greet a corner, but heading the ball inches wide of the post. That had been his one chance to shoot in the opening 45 minutes.

Neilson altered his tactics for the second-half. The ineffective Osman Sow came off for Sam Nicholson not long into the period, and the side overall looked a little more driven. Hearts pressed more, and this delivered results. A controversial penalty was awarded against James McPake, the referee deciding he’d used his hand during a goal-mouth scramble. Juanma stepped up and stroked the ball into the bottom-right corner.

Minutes later Juanma snatched a lead for the visitors. He pounced on a loose ball – not for the first time – and burst into the Dundee box. He manoeuvred around the sliding Julen, before tucking the ball past Bain. Dundee had gone from leading to losing in seven minutes.

With a little more help in that final third, Juanma had been able to demonstrate more of his attacking attributes. His control of the ball, coolness in high-pressure situations and clinical finishing had sunk Dundee, bereft of ideas after dropping behind for the first time this season. Unlike Hearts, the Dees lack options from the bench – unless Phil Roberts counts as an option?

The reaction upon Juanma’s substitution perhaps summed up his impact: a chorus of boos from the Dundee end, cheers and chants from the Hearts’ supporters, and a big grin and a handshake from Neilson.

It seems that Hearts might have a complete striker on their hands. In the first-half Juanma had had limited opportunities to impact the match. He’d been reliant on long-balls, but using his strength and skill had managed to carve out a couple of chances for Hearts. In the second, after Neilson had chosen a more offensive outlook, he came into his stride. He made a nuisance of himself and took his chances. Nothing more could be asked. It’s been a brilliant start for the Hearts striker, and if he continues to produce such great results, he should be among the top-scorers come the end of the season.