Hearts 2 - 1 Partick Thistle

ROB ROBERTSON February 27 2006

Scorers:

Hearts

Jankauskas (6), Cesnauskis (63) Partick Thistle

Roberts (75)

IT'S been a crazy old season so far at Tynecastle and, despite all the mad goings-on, could yet lead to Scottish Cup success. Can you imagine what club owner Vladimir Romanov will be like if Hearts actually lift the trophy at Hampden in May? He has been demented enough so far and even picked the team for the recent match against Dundee United.

Let him get his hands on the trophy and he will be like a dog with a bone. European domination, world club championship glory, inter-planetary success, victory over the Klingons. There will be no end to his plans for the future success of Hearts.

By the same token, such is his mercurial nature, if they fail to win the Scottish Cup after being installed as favourites Graham Rix and Jim Duffy will be on the first spaceship out of planet Romanov.

The Lithuanian spent £3,000 of his own money to have the match against Partick Thistle screened live so that he could watch it at home and he must have breathed a sigh of relief at his side's lucky win.

Eight years ago Hearts beat Clydebank, Albion Rovers and Ayr United, all at home, before defeating Falkirk 2-1 in the semi-final then Rangers by the same score in the final at Parkhead to lift the Scottish Cup. This time round they have had a much harder time facing Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle at home on their way to the semi-final.

The capital side have been installed as favourites for the tournament and the question is whether they have what it takes to lift the trophy?

Certainly there has been a sea-change at Tynecastle since Jim Duffy was appointed director of football two weeks ago. Graham Rix, the head coach, is much more relaxed and Duffy is providing a buffer between Rix and Romanov. The players are less stressed since the Lithuanian pledged not to meddle in team affairs, but for how long he will keep that promise remains to be seen.

On the pitch the side has a settled look about it, although what can't be forgotten is that 11 players arrived during the transfer window and having a first-team squad of 28 causes more problems than it solves.

The defence looks rock solid and Craig Gordon, Robbie Neilson, Steven Pressley, Andy Webster and Takis Fyssas are, arguably, the most consistent unit in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague.

In midfield, Paul Hartley and Rudi Skacel remain a revelation and will have more responsibility in the semi-final as Frenchman Julian Brellier is suspended.

Up until recently when you saw the names of any of the Lithuanians on the team-sheet you detected the hand of Romanov in team selection.

Now, though, Edgaras Jankauskas and Deividas Cesnauskis more than merit their places in the starting line-up. The former's sixth-minute headed goal was upstaged by the great run and left-foot shot from Cesnauskis in 63 minutes which put Hearts two up.

The only Lithuanian who looks surplus to requirements is Salius Mikoliunas who came on as a substitute for Skacel.

Roman Bednar had come on for Calum Elliot in 61minutes but managed to get himself sent off within nine minutes of coming on after two of the most unnecessary bookings you will ever see. The first was for not retreating at a free-kick and the other was for diving.

Thistle's performance was such that it was easy to forget they are a second division team. Even when Hearts had 11 men they took the game to them and only a magnificent save by Craig Gordon from a deflected Billy Gibson shot just after half-time stopped them from scoring.

When they did make the breakthrough it came courtesy of a superb effort from Mark Roberts who left Steven Pressley in his wake before placing his shot into the corner of the net. They had other chances to equalise and were unlucky not to take the match to a replay.

Taken from the Herald