WE'RE READY FOR TITLE

ROMAN BEDNAR shrugged off his hat-trick heartache last night and insisted Hearts are bang on course for the SPL title.

The Jambos swept aside champions Celtic 2-1 at Tynecastle to make it two wins out of two for the season. Czech striker Bednar scored twice in the second half, either side of a Stilian Petrov goal, to lay down a marker for the Gorgie side's assault on the title.

The win also boosted the Jambosaheadof Wednesday's first leg of their Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens at Murrayfield.

Television evidence showed Bednar was denied a hat-trick when linesman Gary Cheyne flagged after he had sent his side in front.

Bednar was a yard onside as he raced on to a Bruno Aguiar pass before rounding Artur Boruc and slotting the ball into the empty net.

But he had the last laugh when he took advantage of a dreadful backpass from sub Neil Lennon to hit the winner three minutes from time.

Bednar said: "It was a 50-50 and it happened so fast I thought I was offside but everyone told me it was on.

"That was unlucky but I was more disappointed about the chances I'd missed before the opening goal as I should have scored with two free headers.

"But I'm happy to have finished the game the way I did. I scored a similar goal to my winner against Siroki Brijeg and I always try to run in on these situations because mistakes are always possible.

"Hopefully, this will send a message we can push Celtic all the way for the title.

"We have a good squad and if we continue to work hard we can win all the games we play. We can win the championship and we have the qualities to do it."

Hearts notched their second consecutive win against Celtic at Tynecastle, this time without influential midfielder Paul Hartley.

Coach Valdas Ivanauskas also rested full-backs Robbie Neilson and Takis Fyssas ahead of the test against the Greeks.

Ivanauaskas said: "The result was deserved and it was important we won this game with the Champions League match coming up.

"I don't think we sent a message today - we sent a message last season but this was our first game against the champions this term and last time out every game against them was special.

"We kept our discipline and we were solid against a very good Celtic team with very good players.

"Our big plus is our spirit and teamwork - and we also have Roman Bednar.

"I know he could have scored three but after the game this situation is easy to explain. I was told his goal was not offside and maybe a mistake was made but it's not always easy for the ref."

Ivanauskas celebrated the winner wildly and Vladimir Romanov, watching at home in Lithuania, must also have raised the roof.

Ivanauskas added: "This was special because it was the first game of the new season at Tynecastle.

"It was a very important performance and I think we wanted the win more."

Skipper Steven Pressley said: "We sent out a big message. We've started the season in great form - we've won our first two league games and progressed in the Champions League.

"AEK are favourites to progress to the group stages but there's a great belief within our squad and we feel we can progress."

But Hearts will have to do without defender Ibrahim Tall, who twisted a knee and had to be replaced early on by Neilson.

Ivanauskas said: "It's ligament damage and he could be out for weeks."

Taken from the Daily Record