WE'LL PUT GERS TO BED BEFORE IBROX

HEARTS 4

DUNFERMUNE 0

ROMAN BEDNAR believes Rangers have no hope of unseating Hearts from second place in the SPL and on this display who's to argue?

The tunnel at Tynecastle was used as a catapult to propel a Jambos side towards a performance which wasn't just Champions League quality - it was out of this world.

Such was the force of the first-half bombardment of Dunfermline the visitors were beaten into submission within minutes of kick-off.

But like any battle-hardened army it was an afternoon which had accusations of deserters and dissension in the Hearts ranks.

Once again selection policy put noses out of joint. Rudi Skacel abandoned the scene before kick-off after being told he wasn't getting a jersey, while Andy Webster and Julien Brellier displayed disgruntled body language on the bench.

Bednar called it spot on when he distanced himself from the spats and focused on a meeting with Alex McLeish's side on the final day of the season which he claims could be rendered pointless.

The striker played his part in the annihilation of the Pars which for the opening 45 minutes was evidence of a side on the march towards a place among Europe's big boys.

And Bednar said: "In the second half we dropped down a gear because we were 3-0 up but if we play as we did in the first 45 minutes then there's no chance for Rangers.

"We hope it will be over before we go to Ibrox and we'll look to be four points clear. After all, as it's a very dangerous place to go and play for second place.

"We're now playing the same way we did in the opening eight games of the season and to make 10 chances to score is incredible.

"I don't know about the impact the manager Valdas Ivanauskas has made as it's more about the players.

"We come together before the game and speak about the need to get three points and we get everyone to believe that. "He's made a few changes and we changed again today with Rudi not playing. However, it's not important who is given a shirt because everyone on the pitch was fantastic.

"I think the first 11 has always changed this season so it's not a surprise for us.

"If would be great for the club and the supporters if we get to the Champions League as it's always Celtic and Rangers.

"It's better for the people watching to see Hearts in there and not Rangers." Bednar met his target of scoring on Saturday but he has other goals that have yet to be achieved.

The Czech said: "I needed this goal today as I haven't scored for a while now.

"I missed a few chances in the last game against Celtic so I'm happy after saying I wanted to score in this match.

"Winning both the Scottish Cup and getting second place is what we want to do as the club haven't won any silverware for a while so we want to win both."

From the opening seconds it was a conveyor belt of maroon towards the Pars goal.

Michal Pospisil began the rout by sliding a shot past Allan McGregor in the seventh minute and the keeper was grasping at air when Bednar headed in No.2 six minutes later.

With just 25 minutes gone it was three when Saulius Mikoliunas drilled home from the edge of the box. The sun then bathed Tynecastle and the Hearts players opted to bask in the knowledge of a job well done for the remainder of the afternoon.

Juho Makela added a fourth when he converted a close-range header in 82 minutes, with only the goal difference counters taking much notice.

Yes, Pars youngster Greg Ross made an early departure after being red-carded for scything down the magnificent Bruno Aguiar.

But what else can you say about Dunfermline?Well for a start there have been far better teams than the current mob to suffer relegation.

Livingston will surely save them from that fate but at Tynecastle they were an embarrassment.

Had the Jambos not decided to take their foot off the gas in the second half then it would have been yet another flirtation with double figures.

To be fair Jim Leishman's men were encountering a side with Champions League aspirations but on Saturday they were a team that shamed the quality of the SPL.

It's doubtful if the top flight has witnessed a more inept performance than the one produced at Tynecastle.

Chasing shadows is one thing but an inability to close down opponents and allow them to deliver killer balls at their leisure - which is what happened at three of the goals - is another.

Hearts, for want of a better word, boss Ivanauskas was also adept at cooling the debate over Skacel's early departure and was delighted with the win.

He also refused to look any further than next week.

Ivanauskas said: "The first half was okay and as said before the game it was very important to start the match well. It was a difficult match given our situation so I'm happy with the performance, especially in the first half. "Skacel is like many of the players at Hearts who need a rest and we need a fresh Rudi so even though he wasn't in the squad there was no problem.

"It's the same situation with Webster and Brellier. But every game is difficult so we need to change sometimes.

"The players are professional and experienced so I think when he is clever he understands the situation.

"We have had 33 games" in the league and although it's hard for the players left out, there is no problem.

"I don't know if Rudi watched the match from the stand but that's what he must do.

"There are five games before Rangers and there's a long way to go. We're looking only for next week against Kilmarnock."

WHAT THE ROMAN DID FOR HEARTS: Bednar celebrates his goal

MATCH STATS

POSSESSION

63% 37%

SHOTS ON TARGET

6 1

SHOTS OFF TARGET

9 1

CORNE

7 2

FOULS CONCEDED

10 12

OFFSIDES

0 0

HEARTS

MAN BY MAN

Craig Gordon: Scotland's No.1 and that's how many saves he had to make. 7

Robbie Neilson: Had hand in first three goals. International recognition surely on its way. 7

Takis Fyssas: Untroubled defensively and enjoyed showing his trickery in Pars' last third. 7

Steven Pressley: Will rarely have easier day. 7

Jose Goncalves: Strolled through looking a class act. 7

Paul Hartley: Deserved his standing ovation when replaced late on. Usual action-packed display. 7

Saulius Mikoliunas: Fired in third goal and drifted around with menace all game. 7

Michal Pospisil: Astar in midfield. Could have added to his opener. 7

Bruno Aguiar: Ran show from start to finish. Pivotal player who looks real find. 8

Dei vidas Cesnauskis: Another top display. Bustled with energy. 7

Roman Bednar: Powerful in air and clever on deck. A real handful. 7

Subs: Julien Brellier - hurt back within minutes of coming on, 3. Mirsad Beslija - flashes of class, 3. Juho Makela - nodded in his first Hearts goal, 3.

DUNFERMLINE

MAN BY MAN

Allan McGregor: At fault for at least two of goals. Fortunate not to let in more than four. 3

Greg Shields: Only player who looks able to perform at higher level. 5

Scott Wilson: Distribution poor and given runaround by Bednar. 3

Andy Tod: Lack of mobility only too apparent as he struggled to cope with pace of game. 3

Scott Thomson: One of few who made fist of contest but constantly pressed back into defence. 5

Jamie McCunnie: Out of his depth. 2

Aaron Labonte: Another not up to job. 3

Greg Ross: Only impact was crude lunge on Aguiar that earned him red card. 2

Scott Muirhead: At least showed appetite for game. Worked hard with no reward. 4

Noel Hunt: Fought his corner. Always threat in air but given little service or support. 5

Mark Burchill: One snapshot apart was never going to pose Gordon problems. 4

Subs: Nick Phinn - replaced Burchill for last four minutes, 1. Bartosz Tarachulski - added physical presence, 3.

MOMENT THAT CHANGED THE GAME: The referee's first whistle signalled the start of one-way traffic towards the Pars goal.

Taken from the Daily Record