SLOWIN 'IN THE WIND

INVERNESS 0-0

HEARTS

WORSENING weather conditions weren't the only thing Hearts were glad to have avoided as they made their way back down the A9 on Saturday night.

They managed to beat the snow but failed to do the same to their opponents earlier in the day.

Graham Rix's side had arrived I at the Caledonian Stadium with I their sights set on three points to I remain on course for a Champions League place.

But the overriding emotion as I they made the journey home was B a feeling of relief at having avoided a defeat that looked the I most likely outcome for much of this match.

Inverness was probably the last place Rix would have wanted to take his side at the weekend after they were made to battle every inch of the way in their previous two league encounters with the Highlanders.

And even a draw wasn't quite the result the Jambos were hoping for ahead of Sunday's televised clash with Rangers at Tynecastle.

For only six points now separate the Gorgie side and the Ibrox men, their nearest challengers for second place in the SPL and reward of a Champions League slot.

Conditions didn't help anybody as a swirling wind saw respective keepers Mark Brown and Craig Gordon struggle to get their goal-kicks beyond the halfway line.

Rix made the point afterwards that not even the mighty Barcelona would have been able to master the elements.

But excuses won't wear with the Tynecastle support should they fail to get the better of Alex McLeish's team as all thoughts turn towards the forthcoming crunch meeting.

True, the visitors were without skipper Steven Pressley, Edgaras Jankauskas and Rudi Skacel.

And Paul Hartley showed signs of rustiness on his first game back from a three-match ban, coming off second best in his midfield tussle with the outstanding Richie Hart.

But Caley dominated, particularly in the second half.

From defender Darren Dods through to recalled striker Graham Bayne, there was an inner drive about them that the visitors found hard to match.

Takis Fyssas, Hearts' Greek international left-back, looked somewhat bewildered as he tried to get to grips with overhead conditions he was encountering for the first time in his career.

Fyssas insisted the main thing was that they left the blustery Highlands with something to show for their efforts even if the way the point was gained wasn't pretty.

He said: "Everyone could see we didn't enjoy our football. It was very difficult to play the way we normally like to because of the conditions.

"They were the worst I've played in since coming to Scotland.

"But we made sure we didn't concede and had a few chances, in the first half especially, which we didn't score.

"That's what happens in football but for me it's important that we take this one point and move on to the next game.

"It will be a massive match against Rangers. We will give everything to take the three points then. Hopefully we will enjoy being at Tynecastle much more than we enjoyed this game."

It could have been worse for Hearts had it not been for Craig Gordon, who once more proved why he's Scotland's No. 1 keeper.

As the interval approached, Gordon twice denied Hart within the space of a couple of minutes with saves of equal quality.

The second half followed much the same pattern. Caley Thistle's two best opportunities fell to Bayne in quick succession.

The Inverness target man's head first connected with Ross Tokely's cross but Gordon saved low to his right.

Then, from Ian Black's centre, Bayne nodded just over the bar when Caley's outfield play merited a bit more. And so Hearts breathed again.

But they might not be let off the hook in the same way when Rangers - with Kris Boyd in top form in the league-come calling to the capital.

Fyssas knows the importance of a win as far as his side's Champions League aspirations are concerned.

And if confidence is anything to go by, perhaps Hearts fans who witnessed another stuttering performance at the weekend shouldn't panic just yet.

The Greek star said: "It's a really big game and Rangers are a good team but so are we.

"We have a very good record at home. I believe in my team and that we will take the three points we're looking for.

"Of course, we have to play better. But you have to remember that today we were missing some very important players.

"I feel it's up to us to give everything for second place as it's our target for the season. It's very important for Hearts and it would be a huge step for next season.

"I want to bring happiness to my family and everyone.

"I'm not here just to enjoy it - I want to take things from this season.

"I'm fighting for it and I'm ready. Believe me, from my own experience I know that in the end if we play well and lose nobody remembers that you played good football.

"Nobody has any bad thoughts and we just have to keep going."

Rix will want to forget about this game in a hurry and focus instead on the visit of Rangers.

Hearts beat the Ibrox side 1 - 0 at Tynecastle when George Burley was manager back in September. And another such result would suit them fine.

As for the game he had just seen, Rix said: "I don't think even Barcelona could have played football in those conditions.

"I told the players beforehand that it was going to be ugly and our keeper and back four were fantastic."

Inverness boss Charlie Christie, meanwhile, credited his side for the manner in which they matched the power of their opponents blow-by-blow.

He said: "Hearts are not in contention for a Champions League spot without good reason.

"You often find that a big, powerful side comes out on top in windy conditions but we coped with that physical threat very well."

MATCH STATS

53% 47%

9 5

2 2

4 4

13 12

2 2

INVERNESS

MAN BY MAN

Mark Brown: Must have been surprised at such a quiet afternoon. 7

Ross Tokely: Showed remarkable stamina to get up and down the right all afternoon. 7

Darren Dods: Absolute rock at the heart of the Inverness defence. 8

Graham Bayne: Impressive on his return to the first team. Unfortunate to see two headers near the end go just wide. 7

Richie Hart: Best player on the park. Outshone Hartley in middle of the park from start to finish. 9

Russell Duncan: Kept things simple to allow his team-mates to surge forward. 7

Grant Munro: Won most things in the air against Bednar. 7

Richard Hastings: Constantly on the go at left-back and tackled like he was a man on a mission. 7

Craig Dargo: Didn't have too many clear-cut chances but still did enough to keep Hearts defence on their toes 7

Alan Morgan: Always quick to spot a team-mate in the clear. Started a lot of attacks down the left. 7

Ian Black: Grew as the game wore on. Surprisingly good in the air for his size. 8

HEARTS

MAN BY MAN

Craig Gordon: Made two fine saves to deny Inverness in the first half. 7

Robbie Neilson: Not afraid to go in where it hurts but his distribution could have been better. 6

Takis Fyssas: Slightly suspect with the ball in behind. 6

Andy Webster: Held Hearts together especially towards the end. 7

Paul Hartley: Fell out of things after a promising start. 6

Chris Hackett: Subbed midway through the second half after failing to make much of an impact. 6

Deividas Cesnauskis: Found the Caley Thistle defence a tough nut to crack. 6

Christophe Berra: Did well in the absence of Pressley. Kept it simple. 7 Roman Bednar: Looked like he was in the mood early on before becoming isolated up front. 6

Calum Elliott: Found it impossible to shake off Dods. 6

Bruno Aguiar: Got himself involved in too many needless incidents. 5

Subs: Jamie McAllister - Stretchered off after coming on, 2. Jose Goncalves - Late swap for McAllister, 1.

MOMENT THAT CHANGED THE GAME:

Hearts keeper Craig Gordon's 38th minute save

From Richie Hart denied the midfielder and his side the breakthrough just before the interval

Tried and trusted by the trade

Quality gear that makes the job easy

Taken from the Scotsman