LITHUMANIA

Aug 1 2005

KILMARNOCK 2 HEARTS 4 Jambos fans roar their approval as Romanov dynasty gets off to a flier

By Gary Ralston

IF revolutions are supposed to start in whispers then someone better tell Hearts to keep the bloody noise down The racket sparked by their victory at Rugby Park on the opening day of the season reverberated across the SPL.

Actions speak louder than words and this performance was as noisy as the din created in Kilmarnock by a huge travelling Jambos army of more than 3000.

Lithuania hasn't boasted an empire since the 18th century but Vladimir Romanov has already ensured the yellow, green and red horizontal bands of his nation's flag will flutter as comfortably in Gorgie as any maroon banner.

Suspicions still - and will always - remain about the motives of a wealthy bank owner in diversifying into the bankrupt stock of Scottish football.

But his investment is already paying a rich dividend for fans who have deposited hope at the start of too many seasons only to see interest levels fall away at the end of each campaign.

The coal faces of Cumnock were still offering up their black treasures when George Burley left his home village for Ipswich Town as a 15-year old in 1972.

The pits have long gone but the mining traditions clearly remain in the blood of the new Hearts boss.

Burley returned to Ayrshire on serious business for the first time in more than a decade when he walked through the doors at Killie.

He exploited rich seams of potential during his time in charge at Ipswich and Derby and even though it is ridiculously earlier in his current reign to say so, he looks on the verge of doing it again at Tynecastle with Romanov's backing.

Burley aims to bring in three new players before Sunday's derby clash with Hibs and if they are of the quality he has already sanctioned then bragging rights in the capital will soon be switching from Leith to McLeod Street.

The most encouraging aspect for Burley - the result apart - must surely have been the ease with which Rudi Skacel, Edgaras Jankauskas and Roman Bednar acclimatised with their new team-mates - only one of whom, Saulius Mikoliunas, was a non-Scot, by the way.

Skipper Steven Pressley said: 'Everyone has been sceptical about Mr Romanov's statements since he came to the club but so far he has been true to his word.

'We've brought in new faces but new faces that are quality players - that's important.

'I've said time and time again we have a really good core of lads in the dressing room and it allows newcomers to adapt very quickly.

'We have a good team spirit and work really hard for each other and that's the sign of a good side. Hearts are not about individuals but a team.

'Winning the first game of the season is important because it gives us a momentum on which to build.

'Our performance was really encouraging, especially as we haven't played together too often.

'It was also great to see such a good turnout from the fans. Certainly, with the amount of change over the close season there's a sense of optimism about the club and it was reflected in the number of supporters who came to watch us.'

In Jankauskas and Bednar in particular,Burley has uncovered a J and B blend that threatens to leave their SPL rivals reeling in the months ahead.

Former Porto striker Jankauskas and ex-Czech Under-21 hitman Bednar are rarities - towering frontmen equally comfortable with the ball played to feet and capable of holding it up until Paul Hartley leads the cavalry charge from midfield.

Skacel, on loan from Marseille, is also a treat - a gifted midfield technician with an eye for a pass and creative touch and who loves supporting his strikers.

He scored the Jambos' opener in 12 minutes, less than 60 seconds after Steven Naismith had nipped in front of the visitors' rearguard to prod a shot past Craig Gordon from a Peter Leven throw-in.

Skacel and Jankauskas then combined for Bednar to stoop and head Hearts' second a minute after the re-start, before Mikoliunas bagged the third with a super 25-yard strike on the hour.

Kilmarnock defender Gordon Greer nodded his side a lifeline near the end but the good work was undone in the closing stages when Gary Locke left out a trailing leg and Jankauskas went tumbling in the box.

That gave Hartley the opportunity to slam in the fourth from the spot.

Pressley added: 'It's early days but there are very encouraging signs and we should go into the derby against Hibs on Sunday with a lot of confidence.

'It's often the case with target men that they are not so mobile on the ground but Edgaras and Roman can both play on the deck as well as in the air and the fans have really taken to them.

'Neither of them has had much of a pre-season so they are playing catch-up in terms of fitness but that's even more encouraging when you consider how well they played against Killie.'

Jim Jefferies' side will play worse this season and win but despite their possession, in the first half especially, they lacked the penetration Hearts enjoyed in the final third.

How the Killie boss must wish he had a fraction of Romanov's funds but for Killie it's a case of make-do and mend and he has enough talent in the likes of Naismith and Kris Boyd to keep the team out of serious trouble in the months ahead.

Jefferies said: 'I'm pleased with our attitude and commitment but we gifted them the win with the goals we conceded.'

Jambos boss Burley got the team performance he needed.

He said: 'If we had carried any passengers, we would not have come away with three points against Jim's side.

'I'm excited about working with this group of players.Their attitude is spot-on and I'm really impressed with their work ethic

MAN OF THE MATCH Edgaras Jankauskas (Hearts)

MATCH STATS

POSSESSION 45% 55

SHOTS ON TARGET 5 9

SHOTS OFF TARGET 2 4

CORNERS 1 6

FOULS CONCEDED 25 15

OFF SIDES 2 1

KILMARNOCK

MAN BY MAN

Alan Combe: Lack of protection left him helpless at all four goals 6

James Fowler: Found Skacel a handful down left 5

Gordon Greer: Terrific goal handed team lifeline but wasn't enough 5

Simon Ford: Struggled to cope with strength and movement of Hearts strikers. 5

Garry Hay: Solid performance at left-back against Mikoliunas 6

Gary Locke: Rarely wasted a pass but up against maroon tide in second half. 6

Gary MacDonald: Good first half but too peripheral after interval 6

Danny Invincibile: Great pace but rarely troubled in behind Jambos defence. 5

Peter Leven: Threw over a few decent crosses from left early on 5

Kris Boyd: Honours even in battle with Pressley and Webster 6

Steven Naismith: Lively performance from dangerous little frontman. 7

Subs: Colin Nish - Used physical threat to good effect, 5.

Allan Johnston - On for Leven but found it difficult to get into the game, 3

HEARTS

MAN BY MAN

Craig Gordon: Powerless to prevent two Killie strikes, otherwise solid as ever. 6

Robbie Neilson: Kept Leven quiet and offered diligent forward support 6

Steven Pressley: Decent ding-dong with Boyd. Organised and efficient. 6

Andy Webster: Excellent positional play ensured there was rarely any defensive panic. 6

Jamie McAllister: Kept tabs on Invincibile. Decent distribution too 6

Neil MacFarlane: Least glamorous midfield shifts are often the most effective. 7

Paul Hartley: Grew in attacking influence as game progressed. 7

Saulius Mikoliunas: Terrific goal but must become better decision maker 6

Rudi Skacel: Tireless, with tricky and creative touches a huge asset 8

Roman Bednar: Athletic and mobile with eye for goal 8

Edgaras Jankauskas - Rangy striker isn't even match fit yet. Look out SPL. 9

Subs: Calum Elliot - Wonderful 25-minute show of skill and invention, 7.

Stephen Simmons - Appeared late on to bolster midfield and help ensure the win, 3

MOMENT THAT CHANGED THE GAME

Killie gifted George Burley's men the upper hand by handing them a second goal a minute into the second half

Taken from the Daily Record