New kids from the bloc fire up Hearts

With a dynamic display, John Robertson's side made the quarter-finals of the Tennent's Scottish Cup at the second attempt against a Kilmarnock team riven by financial insecurity and ravaged by injury.

Deividas Cesnauskis and Saulius Mikoliunas, introductory offerings from the club's millionaire benefactor, were integral to a clinical and occasionally flamboyant procession against the Ayrshiremen.

Romanov was back in his homeland yesterday celebrating the 15th anniversary of independence for the former Soviet Republic. An evening of revelry will doubtless have been enhanced by the news of early dividends from his latest investment.

Cesnauskis, a midfielder of Champions League pedigree, enjoyed an auspicious debut after his deadline-day transfer from FBK Kaunas. He closed the door on Kilmarnock with a goal of expert conviction in the second half and was the ideal complement to Mikoliunas, the equally adept countryman with whom he exchanged wings to notable effect. The pair possess an old-school Soviet work ethic, flair and, given their recent scoring exploits, an accomplished end-product; all of which promise profitability for a club with renewed ambition.

Lee Wallace may be more Gorgie than Gorky but the 17-year-old has already displayed the necessary attributes to prosper under the new regime. The full-back has made only three first-team appearances, all of them in the recent series against Kilmarnock, and he got the rout started after less than 10 minutes with his first senior goal in a flawless evening.

Hearts must now fancy their chances of further progression with a quarter-final date with beleaguered Livingston set for Sunday, February 27.

Kilmarnock's financial condition was underlined by the desperate measures undertaken by the chairman, Jamie Moffat, to generate interest in the third meeting of the teams inside 12 days, an unappetising prospect compounded by a rare visit from the Sky Sports crew.

Moffat has has had to swallow more than his pride to keep the club afloat. The personal appearance of such an esteemed member of the community at the town's Burns Mall, begging shoppers to roll up at Rugby Park, was an unedifying sight and one which could not attract more than a 6636 customers.

The majority of the impulse buyers must have wondered if they had been fleeced by false advertising as Hearts completely overran their opponents in an ominously one-sided opening to the match.

The pressure yielded tangible reward in the game's infancy and provided another memorable moment for Wallace. Not for him a foal-like uncertanty as he pranced from his station, first through a densely populated midfield and, to the disbelief of both managers, beyond the Kilmarnock defence.

With the assistance of Dennis Wyness, Wallace completed a neat interchange of possession by thrashing the ball high past Alan Combe.

Kilmarnock's sorry fate was sealed shortly afterwards with the kind of amateurish defending that evokes apoplexy in the dug-out. Hartley's fizzing free-kick skimmed a succession of heads, before Lee Miller headed beyond the keeper.

Kilmarnock were similarly inept during the second half, the loss of half a team of regulars a plausible plea in mitigation. None the less, the ease with which Hearts carved open their defence would have been inexcusable in Jefferies' eyes.

Cesnauskis put the tie beyond Kilmarnock's reach with an assured swivel-and-shot past Combe.

John Rowbotham had waved away one penalty appeal before he gave the home fans something to cheer in injury time. Allan Johnston was fouled by Andy Webster, Kris Boyd converted from the spot.

Ian Durrant bade farewell at the final whistle, ending seven years of service at Rugby Park to embark on a new chapter in his coaching career with Rangers. Results like these are an inevitable consequence of the downsizing.

Kilmarnock (4-4-2) Combe; Ford, Fontaine, Lilley, Hay; Leven, Naismith (Murray 69), MacDonald, Johnston; Invincibile, Boyd.

Subs: Bell, Fowler, Dargo, Dodds

Hearts (4-4-2) Gordon; Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Wallace; Mikoliunas, Simmons, Hartley, Cesnauskis; Miller (Thorarinsson 85), Wyness (Burchill 75).

Subs: Moilanen, MacFarlane, Berra.

Referee J Rowbotham

Taken from the Herald