Heart of Midlothian 4
Dundee 0
League (Premier League)

Match Report

There's nothing quit like the threat of losing your place to bring out the best in players.

With only two wins from their opening five games, Hearts manager Jim Jefferies was already making plans to spend as much of last week's £8 million investment as he could get his hands on.

However, after this scintillating display, his entry into the transfer market may not be quite so urgent.

After failing to take a single point from Dundee last season, Hearts more than made up for lost time here. They got off to a flyer and really should have killed off the visitors before half-time.

Then, just when it looked like Hearts might pay as Dundee pulled out all the stops to grab an equaliser, the home side moved into. overdrive to score a further three times in an eight-minute spell near the end.

With the knowledge their boss can now buy at any time, Hearts look liable to turn on the style when required.

For long spells they dominated the midfield but lacked a killer touch. However, all that changed when McSwegan dispossessed McSkimming deep in his own half. The Hearts striker raced half the length of Tynecastle and, from his cross, Darren Jackson drilled the ball low past Douglas.

Two minutes later Tweed was dispossessed by Severin. However, before the teenager could shoot, his skipper Colin Cameron dispossessed him to do the job himself.

Severin, who had been outstanding throughout, was not to be denied, however. He got his head to a Jackson cross to round off a memorable afternoon for him.

Far earlier, Hearts got off to a perfect start. Boyack carelessly lost the ball to Ritchie and it sped quickly to Jackson and McSwegan before Adam finished off at the far post.

The final scoreline was perhaps harsh on Dundee, who had an excellent 25-minute spell after half-time.

In an entertaining encounter, Hearts had outstanding service from Pressley, Cameron, Flogel and Severin. Smith, Miller and Rae were best for Dundee.

There were three bookings. Ritchie for bringing down Boyack, Miller for persistent fouling, and Boyack for diving.

Hearts (3-5-2) - Rousset; Pressley, James, Ritchie; Flogel (Locke 86). Severin, Jackson, Cameron, Naysmith: Adam (Juanjo 80), McSwegan (Wales 80). Sub not used McKenzie.

Match report written by The Sunday Post