NOWT TO BRAGA ABOUT JAMBOS

HEARTS ......................1 INVERNESS CT ............0

Gavin Berry At Tynecastle

RED-HOT Paul Hartley kept up his scoring streak with his third in two games to seal the points for Hearts. But this was far from the confidence boosting performance Craig Levein would have been looking for from his team ahead of the crucial second leg UEFA Cup clash with Braga.

Hartley's lobbed first-half winner was the only highlight of an otherwise dull encounter and there were even some anxious moments late on as bottom dogs Caley threatened to snatch a point.

In Jambos' defence they have been hit with a striking injury crisis - but they will need to improve dramatically when they travel to Portugal on Thursday to defend their 3-1 Euro first-leg win.

Disgruntled Hearts fans aren't anything new at home games these days with regular protests about the possibility of a move to Murrayfield. However, this time their frustrations were directed at the players - although at full-time they were just grateful to have points in the bag.

All the pre-match talk was of John Robertson returning to Tynecastle for the first time as manager and the Jambos legend was given a warm reception by the supporters who adored him in his playing days. That will be scant consolation as he watched his troops slump to their sixth defeat in seven games, though.

Robertson's assistant Donald Park was also was returning to Gorgie, as was Spaniard Juanjo. Meanwhile, former Caley hero Dennis Wyness was taking in his ex- club for the first time since leaving for Edinburgh.

In fact, Wyness was on the scoresheet for Thistle in the only occasion these sides had met before - a 3-1 victory for the then First Division team in a Scottish Cup tie at Tynecastle in January 2002. And he was going to have a big part to play in this match as he was the only fit recognised attacker Levein had available, and the manager played him as a lone frontman.

Robertson smiled as he took his place in the away dug-out after embracing his one-time team-mate and opposite number Levein.

But there would be no room for sentiment given Inverness' lowly position.

Caley made a bright enough start and it was Juanjo who almost got the breakthrough, dispossessing Andy Webster wide right.

The tricky hitman beat Steven Pressley for pace to go one-on-one with Craig Gordon but the little Spaniard overhit the ball which allowed the keeper to make save.

Inverness were made to pay for that as Hearts took the lead in 15 minutes. Poor control from Richard Hastings in midfield allowed Hartley to steal possession.

The midfielder took full advantage and made a bursting run towards goal, and he showed great composure to send an inch-perfect lob over the advancing Mark Brown and into the back of the net.

Hearts had taken part in Sky Soccer AM's popular Crossbar Challenge on Saturday morning. Hartley was one of the participants but his effort on TV was pretty wayward.

Thankfully he showed better precision when it mattered.

He is proving a vital player for Levein and this strike followed his double in the midweek CIS Cup win over Kilmarnock.

Jamie McAllister was the first player in referee Kenny Clark's book for a deliberate foul on Russell Duncan just after the half hour mark.

But as the first half drew to a close the game died down as two teams both playing with five in midfield nullified each other and chances were few.

Neither gaffer made a change at the break but the supporters would certainly have been hoping for a more entertaining second 45 minutes.

And four minutes in Hearts almost got a second only for Liam Keogh to head Pressley's goal-bound effort from Hartley's corner off the line.

The hosts always looked the most likely to score and you can see why a long, hard season is predicted for Caley.

In 53 minutes they were hit with an injury blow when Robertson was forced to take off Richard Hart. He was replaced by Roy McBain.

Pressley was booked five minutes later for a foul on Juanjo as Caley started to show some signs of promise and while it was 1-0 Hearts were always living dangerously.

Juanjo was replaced by Steven Hislop on the hour mark, with Levein making his first change too. Wyness came off and youngster Calum Elliot was handed his debut.

Inverness had a glorious chance to level in 65 minutes when Barry Wilson floated a set piece into the box and Ross Tokely had a header from six yards - but his effort went over.

It was the start of a sustained period of pressure from the Highlanders who were growing in confidence and the home fans were getting more frustrated with every Caley attack.

Hislop picked up an injury with nine minutes left when he appeared to damage his knee and had to be stretchered off in a what was a worrying sight for Robertson.

And Caley's misery was complete as Jambos, with Neil Janczyk and Robert Sloan on, managed to see the game out.

REFWATCH

KENNY CLARK had little controversy to deal with in an uneventful game and got his three bookings spot on. The official can be pleased with his afternoon's work. Rating: 8/10.

Taken from the Sunday Mail