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| <-Page | <-Team | Sat 25 Nov 2006 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 Hearts 0 | Team-> | Page-> |
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| Eduard Malofeev | <-auth | Frank Gilfeather | auth-> | Iain Brines |
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Inverness CT 0 - 0 Hearts FRANK GILFEATHER at Caledonian Stadium November 27 2006 Not for the first time this season, the drama and spectacle surrounding Hearts has been played out off the pitch where the intriguing world of the club's owner, Vladimir Romanov, continues to capture the imagination of the fans. Romanov was back on Scottish soil, sitting alongside Valdas Ivanauskas, the weary-looking head coach now recovered from a bout of stress which saw him hand in a sick line for the past month. Eduard Malofeev, Ivanauskas's stand-in, will leave for Russia to study for his UEFA pro-licence coaching certificates, while the Lithuanian will return to the Riccarton training pitch this morning, wondering how he can reignite a season which appears to be heading towards mediocrity. Malofeev's decision to reinstate Steven Pressley to the team and the captaincy and have Takis Fyssas, Robbie Neilson, Paul Hartley and Julien Brellier starting, was a positive step. What a pity for the Gorgie fans, however, that with five players strung across midfield, the likelihood of them putting Inverness under sustained pressure, was as predictable as the scowl on Romanov's face. The Tynecastle owner announced beforehand that his long-term plan was for a Hearts team comprising 70% of Scottish players and that Pressley was the "cement" of the side. Such proclamations, however, are unlikely to quell the unrest there is among the rank and file of the fans, especially after this less than inspirational display. A dismal first half gave way to a more productive Caley Thistle in the second 45 minutes as their manager, Charlie Christie, recognised that the visitors were no great shakes and lacked cohesion and fluency in their play. Christie urged his full-backs, Ross Tokely and Richard Hastings, to venture further upfield, a move which produced a series of attacks that might, on another day, have paid dividends. Ian Black hit the crossbar with a header while Craig Gordon emphasised once more just how good a goalkeeper he is for Hearts and Scotland, by producing some breathtaking saves, notably from Craig Dargo and Barry Wilson. Mark Brown, Gordon's counterpart, was seldom troubled but did superbly well late on with a stop from a sparkling effort from Saulius Mikoliunas. That was as good as it got for Hearts, and Alex Koslovski, the Tynecastle sporting director, who will be assisting Ivanauskas, appeared relieved to have come away with a point. "We expected a hard game," he said, "because Inverness are a good side. We always look to win and we are disappointed but I think the score was fair. As for Pressley's return, I had explained that those who were best on the training pitch would be selected and as last week showed us, Steven showed 100% effort and attitude and that he is a high quality sportsman and deserves to be in the team. "We want our experienced players to keep spirits high and that is why we gave Takis Fyssas [who had not played since October 1] his chance." Christie felt his men had done enough to merit victory and he was pleased with their effort. Ian Black, the young Caley Thistle midfielder, agreed with that analysis, though Christie would have been concerned that the player was booked for the eighth time in eleven games which was why he may have been substituted with 20 minute to go. "To peg a side like Hearts back for long periods was pleasing," said Christie, "but I was surprised they played five across the midfield. "Our full backs were encouraged to get further up the park and that is as high up the field and probably as valuable a contribution attacking-wise as they have shown." |
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| <-Page | <-Team | Sat 25 Nov 2006 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 Hearts 0 | Team-> | Page-> |
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