SAUL SINGERS

Feb 14 2005

Miko steals show from new Hearts chief as winning display gets crowd chanting name
KILMARNOCK 0 HEARTS 3

By Anthony Haggerty

VLADIMIR ROMANOV took a pre-match bow on the pitch as the new King of Hearts.

But it was Lithuanian wonderkid Saulius Mikoliunas who turned out to be the ace in the Jambos pack.

Mikoliunas arrived as a trialist for a bounce match at Riccarton less than two months ago and impressed John Robertson enough to land a temporary deal.

But on Saturday he destroyed Killie with a classy display, opening his goal account in a one-sided win that saw Robbo's men move to within two points of their third-placed capital rivals Hibs.

And already the Gorgie support are singing Mikoliunas' name as 'Miko, there's only one Miko' and 'Miko, Miko, Miko' rang out from the Tynecastle stands.

The 22-year-old provided a sublime opening goal in the 15th minute.

He ran on to Stephen Simmons' quick free-kick to waltz past Alan Combe and plant the neatest of sidefooters into the empty net with all the aplomb of a striking veteran.

Speaking through new Lithuanian chief executive Sergejus Fedotovas, who had joined Romanov on the pitch before kick-off, Miko said: 'I am very pleased.

'It was a fantastic game and great for me to score my first Hearts goal. I feel I am already becoming a better player. I feel quite settled here at Hearts already and a m satisfied with the way things have gone so far.

'It has helped that there have been other Lithunanian players at Tynecastle to forge a close relationship with.

'I noticed the fans have got right behind me and were chanting my name, which was very nice to hear.

'The Scottish game is played at a faster tempo than in Lithuania but that suits my style.

'I know we play Kilmarnock again in the Scottish Cup on Wednesday, but I have not really thought about our chances of winning the cup.

'If we get to the final, I guess I will have to think about it then.'

Roberston sang the praises of his pocket rocket after the Lithuanian teased and tormented the Kilmarnock defence with the kind of exciting wing play that should have fans flocking back to watch.

The manager said Mikoliunas is being kept out of the Lithuanian national side by Hearts transfer window signing Deividas Cesnauskis.

If Mikoliunas is Cesnauskis' understudy, what a talent the latter must be.

Robbo said: 'That is the quality of player Hearts are bringing on board now. Miko likes the atmosphere and likes the way we play and the fans have taken him to their hearts already.

'He has a bright future and was excellent for us.We could have had five or six on another day. But we played some fantastic stuff and scored some great goals.

'Our main aim was to keep the pressure on Hibs.This win and their defeat against Rangers allows us to narrow the gap. 'It is coming together at a nice time for us.We will plug away and see where it takes us.'

Mikoliunas was at the heart of every decent Hearts attack.

When his cross was inexplicably sliced into his own net by Jamie Fowler to put Hearts 2-0 up after 25 minutes, the game was over.The icing on the cake came when Lee Miller added a third after 67 minutes.

Dennis Wyness fed the former Falkirk hitman 20 yards out and Miller thrashed home his fourth goal in seven starts with a rasping shot that bulged the net via the underside of the crossbar. Manager Jim Jefferies admitted Kilmarnock were woeful .

And he said it will be a different Killie side that takes the field at Rugby Park for the Scottish Cup replay. For starters, they may be without on-loan Fulham defender Liam Fontaine. He limped off after suffering an eye injury and bang on the nose. Fontaine complained of double vision and is now a major doubt for the midweek tie.

Former Tynecastle gaffer Jefferies said: 'We weren't good enough. Last time, we came to Tynecastle and competed but the first goal we gave away today was a joke.

'We were not alert enough at stopping the quick free-kick and our two centre-halves were sleeping. Hearts showed more desire and we were second best.

'Hearts will see a much different Kilmarnock side on Wednesday night as the cup match is massive.'

This was the second meeting of a Scottish Cup and SPL trilogy between these two sides.

Killie may have entertained in last week's Star Wars 2-2 draw in the Cup. But the Lithuanian Empire certainly struck back to sink them without trace.

Now Jefferies will be praying his Ayrshire Jedis can lick their wounds and return to form in time for the cup crunch.

MAN OF THE MATCH Saulius Mikoliunas (Hearts) Hearts - Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Berra, Wallace, Mikoliunas, Hartley, Simmons (Kizys 74), McAllister, Miller (Thorarinsson 80), Wyness (Burchill 69). Subs not used: Moilanen, MacFarlane, Hamill, Sives. Kilmarnock - Combe, Fowler (Wales 57), Lilley, Fontaine (Dindeleux 28), Leven, Johnston, McDonald, Locke, Murray (Hay 53), Boyd, Naismith. Subs not used: Bell, Invincibile, Ford, Dodds.

Referee - J Underhill.

Moment that changed the game: Mikoliunas' opening goal set Hearts on course for an easy victory - much to the chagrin of Killie boss Jim Jefferies

Taken from the Daily Record