Rix wary of Caley Thistle's record on the road

ANY facile presumption that Hearts will enjoy a simple victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle this afternoon does not stand up to scrutiny. The SPL's second-placed side have a 100 per cent record at home, and have only conceded two goals there, but that is counterbalanced by Inverness's remarkable record on the road.

While they have won only once at home, Craig Brewster's side have lost just once away - to leaders Celtic. A glance backwards through the year reveals that their previous away defeat in the league was back in January, against Dundee.

Such statistics are enough to justify the suggestion by Hearts coach Graham Rix that today's match will be one of the hardest his team have faced this season. "It is going to be a really tough game, there is no doubt about that," Rix said.

"It might take us to the 88th minute to get a clear-cut chance. We have to be patient and have to start quickly - to get that tempo up and to maintain it. For them to be beaten once in 16 away games is magnificent. I take my hat off to Craig Brewster and his staff."

The key decision Rix has had to make this week is how to replace the suspended Julien Brellier in the midfield holding role. Jamie McAllister would have been a contender, but he twisted a knee while playing for the Scotland Future squad and is unlikely to be risked. With Samuel Camazzola apparently out of favour, Stephen Simmons should come in for his first start of the season.

The Frenchman will be a tough act to follow, as Andy Webster explained. "Julien has done a great job for us this season," the Scotland centre-back said. "A lot of what he does goes unnoticed outwith the team, but the defenders really appreciate it. From a defensive point of view, he does a great job sitting in front of the back four and breaking up the attacks."

Simmons is more of a forward-going player than Brellier, and by selecting him Rix will be stating that he again wants a lightning start to the match - last week Hearts were two up inside the first 15 minutes against Livingston.

At the other end of the field, Rix seems set to start with the same strike partnership as last week - Roman Bednar and Calum Elliot. "Young Calum has done absolutely brilliantly in the last few weeks and he's grasped his opportunity without a shadow of a doubt," the coach said yesterday.

Edgaras Jankauskas, who is making his way back to fitness following a hamstring injury, is "in contention" according to Rix, but will be fortunate to win a place as a substitute given the performance off the bench of Michal Pospisil in last week's 2-1 win. Rix claimed that having four in-form strikers fighting it out for two places was preferable to having a recognised first-choice pairing, but the fact remains that none of the quartet has yet to hit the heights in terms of regularly scoring goals. The first to do so will surely end the coach's supposed preference for rotation.

• Hearts said last night they had yet to receive a letter from the SFA informing them of an inquiry into Rix's suitability to be an employee. An SFA committee agreed on Thursday to send the letter.

Taken from the Scotsman