Strachan wary of Hearts' intent

Vladimir Romanov, the Lithuanian banker whose takeover earlier this year transformed the fortunes of Heart of Midlothian, has declared that he would release money for new players in the next transfer window.

According to Gordon Strachan, the Celtic manager whose side drew 1-1 with Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday, this constitutes a threat and a promise for the game in Scotland.

Strachan said: "I didn't think Hearts' credibility was in any doubt and nor should anybody else now. They are title challengers and they gave us a tough match.

"There is an upbeat feeling about Scottish football and a lot of that is to do with Hearts."

Any kind of victory would have put Celtic top for the first time this season and when Craig Beattie's deflected shot eluded Steve Banks, Hearts' stand-in goalkeeper, after only 13 minutes, the home support believed their heroes were on their way.

Hearts responded with vigour, equalising within two minutes when the prolific Rudi Skacel forced Artur Boruc into spilling the ball and shot home for his eighth goal of the season.

The rest of the match was closely contested but the need for reinforcements at Tynecastle - cited frequently by George Burley, the Hearts manager - was evident in the strength of the respective benches.

Celtic were able to summon John Hartson and Shaun Maloney, while Burley had to settle for the youngster, Calum Elliot, as his side were forced on to the back foot late on.

Elsewhere, Hibernian fell 2-0 behind to Kilmarnock, for whom Simon Ford and James Fowler scored, but recovered spectacularly to win with a double from Guillaume Beuzelin plus goals from Gary Caldwell and Derek Riordan.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle's 1-1 home draw with Aberdeen - Jamie Smith opened for the Dons and Graham Bayne levelled - allowed Motherwell to push clear of both clubs with a 1-0 win over bottom side Livingston, courtesy of Richie Foran's decider.

Life is getting very difficult for Dunfermline, now firmly lodged in the danger zone. They were beaten at home by Falkirk after Darryl Duffy's first half strike.

Taken from telegraph.co.uk