Inverness CT 0 - 3 Hearts

As Heart of Midlothian knock on the door which opens to the Clydesdale Bank Premierleague's top six clubs courtesy of an emphatic victory at Inverness, Calum Elliot hopes his two goals - his first in the league this season - will rekindle his Tynecastle career and answer the snipers who have claimed his skills aren't sufficiently good enough for their team.

The 20-year-old may have felt unloved by the Hearts fans as he disappeared into the football ether following a spell a year or so ago when he was leading the line on his own and on the receiving end of compliments and critical acclaim, but since then it has been an uphill struggle for him to gain recognition.

When he knocked home his first goal against Caley Thistle, however, there was the beginning of a change of heart from the Gorgie faithful who made the trip to the Highlands, not to say a melting of their antipathy towards him when his second, a lob over the head of Michael Fraser, the Inverness goalkeeper, who couldn't get to Ian Black's misguided pass-back, hit the back of the net.
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"It's been tough," Elliot said, "but at the end of the day you just have to accept criticism and brush it off. I've always had faith in my own ability and I'm sure those who have coached me have too.

"Maybe it was just a sticky spell I went through. I'm sure lots of young players experience that and while I'm not saying it's over, I hope it's the start of a good season for me and that I can keep my place in the team.

"The manager has been at the club since I came and he has shown great faith in me. I have to stay focused.

"The criticism doesn't really bother me. The supporters are entitled to their opinion and it might shut a few people up. Some like me and others might not. It's all part of football. I have kind of got used to it. I have to get them on to my side again and the only way I'll do that is by scoring goals."

Christos Karipidis's opener, a header from Andrew Driver's 22nd minute corner kick, may have been against the run of play but it brought about a capitulation from Caley Thistle, now with four successive defeats to ponder. They were unsettled not only by Elliot but by his striking partner, Christian Nade, twinkled-toed yet strong and powerful.

Craig Brewster, the Caley Thistle manager, knew the importance of the first goal and emphasised that point to his players, as well as highlighting how Driver and Saulius Mikoliunas could hurt them on the flanks, and they did.

"The back pass killed us for their third goal," Brewster said. "Then the fans got on our backs and that transmitted to the players and it was a disappointing afternoon."

Such disappointment will prompt Brewster to wonder why the progress he was making has halted in recent weeks with four successive defeats while Hearts will be boosted by an impressive performance, particularly on the back of their 4-0 thumping from Rangers a few days earlier. In addition, with the Elliot-Nade partnership looking like it can continue to deliver, Frail will be confident that a top-six finish is well within the reach of Hearts.

Taken from the Herald