Inverness CT 0-3 Hearts

Mar 2 2008 Scott Mcdermott At The Caledonian Stadium

COMEBACK kid Calum Elliot bagged a brace for Hearts then vowed to replace fans' favourite Andrius Velicka.

The young striker is back in the Jambos line-up after the Lithuanian hitman controversially left the club for Viking Stavanger last week.

Elliot exploded on to the SPL scene three years ago with a string of impressive displays but drifted out of the side before being sent to Motherwell on loan.

However, after his deadly double yesterday - which followed Christos Karipidis' opener - the 20-year-old insisted he can fill Velicka's boots .

Elliot, who has faced criticism from a section of the Gorgie support, said: "Andrius was a terrific player but with him leaving this is a great chance for me and I intend to take it. It's up to me to stay in the team now and I believe I can.

"The gaffer has shown great faith in me and I want to repay him by getting goals.

"It was great to score twice today and it will boost my confidence. I know the fans have been unhappy with me but my focus now is just to work hard and get goals.

"I'm enjoying playing with Christian Nade. He's so strong and I can make runs off him.

"Beating Caley Thistle was a great result because this is always a difficult place come to."

Hearts deserved the victory but were helped by some diabolical defending by the home side.

Inverness keeper Michael Fraser turned from hero to villain in the space of a minute to gift the visitors the opener.

Midway through the half Markus Paatelainen was easily robbed at the corner flag by Lee Wallace who picked out Nade in the box.

The big French striker's shot looked destined for the rigging before Fraser brilliantly tipped the ball round the post.

But the stopper was flailing about in no-man's land from the corner as Karipidis (right) rose unmarked to nod the ball into an empty net.

Nade was causing Caley all sorts of problems at the back with his pace and power. He skinned both Grant Munro and Russell Duncan on the left wing, drove into the box and teed up Elliot who buried his shot to make it 2-0 in 33 minutes.

As half-time approached Marius Niculae wasted two great chances to throw the home side a lifeline, missing twice from close range.

Craig Brewster threw on Dennis Wyness at the break in a bid to salvage something but his plan was wrecked after just 90 seconds.

Ian Black's short passback caused mayhem in the Caley defence and Ross Tokely's weak clearance fell for Elliot who brilliantly chipped Fraser from 18 yards to complete his double.

And the youngster almost clinched a superb hat-trick with 15 minutes left but flashed a header inches wide.

If Elliot can continue this kind of form he could help Jambos fans forget former hero Velicka.

Caley boss Brewster said: "I'm concerned at how we're losing goals.

"For the first we should have cleared our lines before the corner then we've lost a header.

"And for the second we were attacking. I warned the players Hearts have great pace down the flanks and they hurt us.

"I told my guys to keep believing at half-time because we'd created two great chances just before the break.

"I made a change to go 4-4-2 but then within two minutes a short passback has killed us."

REF WATCH

ALAN FREELAND disagreed with his linesman over two corner decisions and baffled with other calls. Never looked in control and bosses were forced to sub Mikoliunas and Black before they got sent off. Rating: 4/10.

MATCH STATS

FALKIRK MOTHERWELL

SHOTS ON 2

SHOTS OFF 4

OFFSIDE 0

FOULS 10

CORNERS 6

BOOKINGS 1

SHOTS ON 7

SHOTS OFF 6

OFFSIDE 4

FOULS 11

CORNERS 4

BOOKINGS 2

Taken from the Sunday Mail