Hearts 2-0 Gretna

Feb 11 2008 Chris Roberts Reports

ANDRIUS VELICKA wasn't allowed to take the match ball home as he just missed out on a hat-trick.

But there wouldn't have been many complaints at Tynecastle if he had smuggled it out in his kitbag.

The hot-shot was desperately unlucky not to claim a hat-trick after blasting his 13th and 14th goals of the campaign in the first half to sink Gretna.

Velicka is now just two short of Rudi Skacel's tally in the Scottish Cup winning season of two seasons ago and six off the magical 20 mark.

But his Jambos' team-mate Robbie Neilson admitted he didn't think the Lithuanian would still be at Hearts as he expected him to be snapped up in the January transfer window.

The defender said: "I thought he might have gone as there were a few clubs sniffing about him.

"He's doing great for us. He 's scoring all the goals and is an integral part of the team. It doesn't mater where you come from, if you're scoring the fans will take to you.

"I expect him to score when he gets a chance. If it's going to fall to anybody you hope it falls to him because he is a great finisher.

"His first goal was a a great finish and he had also one chalked off so he was a bit unfortunate.

"He's on 14 goals but hopefully he can get 20. It's been a while since someone has done that for Hearts. It makes a big difference knowing that when a chance comes we have someone who will take it. That gives us confidence."

The Kaunas man burst into life after 60 seconds when he rounded keeper Greg Fleming but slammed a shot into the side-netting from the tightest of angles.

But the 28-year-old was celebrating minutes later when he took a pass from the impressive Michael Stewart before firing a first-time effort past Fleming and into the top corner.

The basement battlers rallied and Kenny Deuchar headed into the crowd after Gavin Skelton picked him out at the far post.

Then Deuchar's flick-on found Aurelien Collin but the big centre-half headed straight at Steve Banks.

But after that the English keeper could have pulled up a seat and read the match programme for the rest of the half.

Fleming turned a header from Christios Karipidis over then watched Andrew Driver fire over the top from the edge of the box - but he was eventually beaten, from the penalty-spot.

Danny Hall felled Velicka and the frontman got up to power an effort through the fingers of the keeper.

Fleming showed he was up to the task of replacing Tony Caig with another great save from sub Saulius Mikoliunas after Hall had been harshly dismissed for his second yellow card in the second half.

Even with 12 men, Gretna would have struggled to keep Velicka quiet and he looked certain to complete his treble.

First he pulled an effort wide from Christophe Berra's through ball then had a goal ruled out for offside after sub Calum Elliot had strayed.

Caretaker boss Stevie Frail said afterwards: "I thought Calum was offside but Andrius could have scored one or two other chances. It would have been good for him to get the hat-trick."

Hearts will need to be more ruthless when they face champions Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday as they look to continue their revival.

And they look a different side to the outfit struggling at the foot of the table not so long ago.

Neilson said: "There a greater unity between everyone. And that has led to abig difference in the performances on the park."

Hearts might be considering entering the Intertoto Cup but they moved to within nine points of third-placed Dundee United and above Hibs to eighth in the table.

But Neilson thinks that anything less than finishing just behind Celtic and Rangers season would be classed as failure by the players.

He said: "The only thing that will satisfy us is third place. It's a big ask but we want to play in Europe next season.

Anything else will be a disappointment.

"We had a poor start to the season but we hope to turn things around. We have big games against Celtic and Rangers soon but we're confident of getting back up there."

The players are pulling together for Frail - and helping his chances of landing the job on a full-time basis.

But Neilson said: "I don't think we need to do it just for Stevie but for everybody at the club."

In contrast, Gretna boss Davie Irons remains confident his side can catch Kilmarnock to stay in the SPL. And they travel to face Hibs on Wednesday nine points behind with two games in hands.

Irons said: "The important thing is that nothing has changed at the bottom.

"We have our first game in hand this week and have to make sure we get something at Hibs. As long as we're in touching distance of one team - no matter who it is - we won't give up."

Irons' words were not fantasy - especially with impressive on-loan Everton starlet John Paul Kissock part of his set-up.

He said: "This boy has a lot to prove to himself, me and David Moyes at Everton that he can play first-team football. I thought he was the best player on the park-his touches were sublime."

However, the man who should have been heading home with the match ball under his arm might have had something to say about that.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Andrius Velicka (Hearts)

MATCH STATS

POSSESSION %

60 40

SHOTS ON TARGET

6 1

SHOTS OFF TARGET

8 3

CORNERS

9 3

FOULS CONCEDED

10 15

OFFSIDES

4 4

HEARTS

MAN BY MAN

Steve Banks: His kicking was tested more than his handling. 7

Christophe Berra: Looked to be getting back to his best. 7

Ruben Palazuelos: Got caught in possession at times but always looking for the ball. 6

Andrius Velicka: An emphatic finish for opener and bagged a second from spot. 8

Robbie Neilson: Rarely put on the back foot. 6

Christos Karipidis: Solid alongside the skipper. 7

Audrius Ksanavicius: Always looking to make that killer pass. 6

Michael Stewart: Made side tick. 7

Jose Goncalves: Hardly put a foot wrong. 6

Deividas Cesnauskis: Looked dangerous and ran himself into the ground.6

Andrew Driver: Aquiet return. 6

Subs: Saulius Mikoliunas - won a penalty and could have scored, 5. Calum Elliot - got stuck in, 3. Neil McCann - good to see him back in action, 1.

GRETNA

MAN BY MAN

Greg Fleming: Produced some great saves and got his fingers to the penalty. 7

Danny Hall: Could have no complaints about the spot-kick but maybe didn't deserve second yellow card. 4

Kyle Naughton: Had a tough time keeping Cesnauskis quiet. 5

Aurelien Collin: Injury cut short his afternoon. 2

Chris Innes: Great interception stopped Cesnauskis getting through on goal. 6

Rostyn Griffiths: Lacking match fitness. 5

Paul Murray: Frustrating day in midfield. 6

Gavin Skelton: Never gave up. 6

Mickael Buscher: Became one of side's top men after a slow start. 6

Kenny Deuchar: Always a threat in the air. 7

John Paul Kissock: Looks like a curly-haired Carlos Tevez. 7

Subs: Craig Barr - made one great tackle on Cesnauskis then battled hard when pushed forward, 5. Rhys Meynell - another loan player failed to catch the eye, 2. Ben Wilkinson - little time to make an impression, 2.

MAGIC MOMENT

Andrius Velicka's first-time effort into the top corner for the first of his two goals.

Taken from the Daily Record