Fuller proves he’s fist class

JAMAICAN Ricardo Fuller used to watch a programme called Thundercats in his native Kingston, but it was a couple of electrifying lightning strikes from this talismanic player which guaranteed a safe passage for Hearts to the next round of the Tennent’s Scottish Cup.

As speculation mounts over the 22-year-old’s future, fuelled by rumours linking him to as many different clubs as in Ian Woosnam’s bag, Fuller - on loan from Tivoli Gardens in Jamaica - responded to the hype surrounding him by extending his trickery, increasing his market value, and notching up unfettered plaudits not merely for his goals, although both yesterday’s efforts were special, but also for his work rate and willingness to chase any cause. It was no wonder then that by the end of this marvellous solo performance, Ross County must have been heartily sick of the sight of his No11 jersey.

Now, usually it’s stretching credence to declare that one individual has made a difference in any match, but honestly, but for Fuller’s mercurial brilliance the visitors might have gained more for their labours than snatch a late consolation goal through Mark Perry. Because, make no mistake, this was by no means a convincing display from Craig Levein’s side, whose general fumbling and vulnerability was reminiscent of how they fared in crashing out of the CIS Cup against the same opponents earlier in the season.

‘Fuller was in sparkling form, constantly probing away at Ross County’s resolve’

Yet, perhaps it was a measure of the transformation which Fuller has influenced at Hearts that their chairman Chris Robinson should feel comfortable mingling with supporters before the kick-off. During his club’s previous dalliance with the Dingwall men, the air of disgruntlement from his own fans was sufficiently vehement that Robinson might have required the full Kate Aidie combat gear prior to consorting with his customers, but here he was all sweetness and light as if to emphasise the significant change which has occurred in Gorgie.

Of course, much of that has been due to the elusiveness and creativity of Fuller, who has notched up seven goals in his last six outings as part of the Hearts revival. But even though he was in sparkling form, constantly probing away at Ross County’s resolve, earning free kicks and frustrating his adversaries with a near insouciant flamboyance, the Hearts programme editor had clearly decided to pour some cold water on the New Year cheer. "‘Enjoy him while you can’, is the oft-spun sentiment of coach Craig Levein and he is right," we were informed. "True, it will be sad when he leaves, but as the sages say, better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

To a non-Edinburgh scribe, this sounded suspiciously like a variation on the old adage "You’ll have had your tea", but there again, neither Levein nor Robinson have made any pretence of their lack of cash. In which light, we should maybe start concentrating on those youngsters who will be at Tynecastle next season, such as Gary Wales, who punctured the game’s rather static beginning with a superb shot in the 13th minute which was only denied by an equally splendid save from the Ross County goalkeeper, Tony Bullock, who belied his surname to leap athletically and parry the ball over his bar.

By this stage, the hosts had cranked up the momentum and Thomas Flogel ought to have pushed them ahead when Wales released Fuller, only for Bullock to engineer another terrific block. But nonetheless, while these details might offer the impression that Neale Cooper’s personnel were under siege, that was a distortion of the truth. On the contrary, and oblivious to their lowly First Division league placing, County were well organised in midfield, bolstered by the French duo of Cedric Anselin and Karim Boukraa, and the more home-spun Mark McCormick who served up a couple of belligerent, piercing forays which hinted at their potential for producing an upset.

Indeed, with the interval beckoning, they were gifted a glorious opening, when Roddy McKenzie delved into the Fabien Barthez book of crazy goalkeeping by hoofing a clearance from a pass-back straight to Boukraa only 18 yards out. But sadly, for the travelling faithful, the man from Le Havre lost his sangfroid and Hearts managed to clear their lines.

As if in recognition of the creeping threat, Levein replaced the hobbling Flogel with Stephen Simmons, but it was hardly surprising that his side should be regaled with boos when they trudged off at half-time. In a word, Fuller excepted, they were flat, and despite the bluster one wonders who exactly will muster the requisite spark when he makes his exit.

Certainly, there was no immediate change in the pattern upon the resumption, but suddenly, in the blink of an eye, the fellow nicknamed "Wily Boo" grabbed this contest by the scruff of the neck and sent Hearts in front with the type of mazy incursion to which he has obtained the copyright. Initially, there seemed scant danger when Fuller collected Simmons’ pass, but with a jink and a feint, the County ramparts were breached with the unerring precision which this player routinely brings to his job.

To their credit, the underdogs regrouped immediately and Anselin pressed McKenzie into action at close range. But Fuller and Wales subsequently linked up to carve a giant swathe through their rivals’ territory before the move petered out, as Levein urgently cajoled his troops to secure the decisive second goal.

Tommi Gronlund, that pillar of stability in the Hearts midfield, nearly supplied it, once more bringing out the best in the resilient Bullock.

Hearts made the game safe in the 78th minute when Fuller latched on to Stevie Fulton’s precise pass and rifled his shot to perfection past the unfortunate Bullock.

There only remained time for Perry, late of Aberdeen, to profit on a scramble in the Hearts goalmouth and Levein to declare: "That took some of the gloss off the result, but we saw again today what Ricardo is capable of." One could detect in Levein’s voice that he was wishing somebody around Tynecastle will strike it lucky in the National Lottery during the next month or so.

Taken from the Scotsman