JAMBOS BOSS SILENT AFTER KILLIE DEFEAT

By Chris Bertram, PA Sport

Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas refused to speak to the media following his side's 2-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Tynecastle in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague.

The home side started the game brightly and had several opportunities to take the lead but fell behind when Danny Invincibile fired past Craig Gordon in the 28th minute following good work from Steven Naismith.

Killie doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Gary Wales' shot deflected off Christophe Berra to leave Scotland goalkeeper Gordon stranded.

Ivanauskas cut a frustrated and animated figure on the touchline in the second period as Hearts failed to find a way back into the match despite sending on all three substitutes before the midway point of the half.

He steered Vladimir Romanov's club to Scottish Cup success earlier this year but the defeat at the hands of Killie leaves the Gorgie side eight points behind Celtic - and a huge task to overhaul the reigning champions, whom they meet in a fortnight's time.

A Hearts spokesman said: "Valdas is mightily disappointed and wants to have a chance to watch the game before he makes any comments.

"He went straight to his office after the match and began watching a re-run of the game, which he normally leaves until the following day.

"He spoke to the team about how disappointed he was with the way the match unfolded but I assure you there is nothing more to read into it than this."

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies was considerably happier with his side's performance as the Ayrshire club moved above Rangers and into third in the table.

The former Hearts boss said: "I thought most of the football came from us and we carried out the plan to perfection.

"We said at half-time if we do what we practise in training then we will win this game. We worked hard, we kept possession when we had to and we didn't take any undue risks.

"It is a great way to bounce back after the Motherwell defeat with victories against Aberdeen and now at Tynecastle, which is a difficult place to come to.

"This win shows that heavy defeat (against Motherwell) was maybe a bit of a freak result and that if we do the right things we are a different side.

"I think Hearts were maybe a bit surprised at the quality we had and the way we were able to keep possession. We said 'if we've got the ball, they haven't' and that frustrated them.

"I had a few harsh words after the Motherwell game but today they have made us proud because every single player was magnificent and I have told them that in the dressing room.

"If they got all the criticism a couple of weeks ago then they deserve all the credit today.

"They are expected to beat us here but we knew if we could get through the first 20 minutes of the second half then we could frustrate them and get the fans a little bit edgy.

"They are still a good team and they still have good players so you have to work hard, but it was a great team effort from us with guys like David Fernandez and Frazer Wright outstanding."

Taken from sportinglife.com