SPL: Kilmarnock 1 Hearts 2

Jan 19 2011 By Colin Duncan

JIM JEFFERIES last night challenged his side to prove they have the bottle to challenge the Old Firm for the title this season.

The Hearts boss believes his team has a genuine shot at glory and has now thrown down the gauntlet to his players.

Jefferies was delighted to see his side come from behind to snatch a dramatic late win at Rugby Park thanks to a double from substitute Stephen Elliott.

The victory means Hearts have now won nine out of their last 10 SPL games and sit just five points adrift of Rangers, who visit Tynecastle on Saturday, and seven behind leaders Celtic with a game in hand.

Jefferies said: "We have been asked a lot of questions and I think we have answered them.

"There is great determination to keep this run going.

"This was a key game as it now gives us a chance to show if we have what it takes to challenge.

"We are going into the Rangers game on a high. There have been plenty teams in the past who have talked about the title and never stood up to the plate.

"That's the challenge and it's up to us to seize our chance.

"We showed we are made of stern stuff and coming back to beat Kilmarnock on their turf speaks volumes for the squad."

While the Jambos finished the game strongly last night they looked off the pace in Ayrshire for much of the first half.

The loss of Kevin Kyle and Rudi Skacel was a major blow for Jefferies on his return to Rugby Park for the f irst t ime since quitting Killie 12 months ago.

However, on the plus side, the Hearts boss was able to welcome Lee Wallace back four months after he injured his knee.

It was a tough reintroduction for Wallace with the full-back under constant early pressure as the home side pressed forward.

Alexei Eremenko twice went close with f ree-kicks before Miguel made the most of an unexpected starting slot to fire Killie into the lead in 19 minutes.

The Portuguese striker was given the nod ahead of Conor Sammon, who was on the bench after turning down a s600,000 switch to the Championship.

Killie boss Mixu Paatelainen felt a four-hour drive back from Scunthorpe yesterday wasn't the ideal preparation for Sammon so opted to give Miguel his chance.

And he didn't let his manager down on his first start for the club as he curled home a sublime shot from the edge of the box.

It was one-way traffic for most of the first half although Hearts blew a good chance when Ismael Bouzid headed a corner inches past from close range. Jefferies reshuffled his pack at the start of the second half with El liot t replacing Arvdas Novikovas.

Ryan Stevenson and Gary Glen were also thrown into the fray in 60 minutes before the sub the majority of the 4996 crowd were waiting for finally arrived.

The home support had been chanting Sammon's name all night and he was given a rousing ovation when he replaced Miguel in 69 minutes.

But just four minutes after his introduction the only noise that could be heard was coming from the Hearts fans.

Poor defending al lowed Jonsson's cross to arrive in the danger area unchallenged and Elliott was able to hook a shot into the bottom corner.

Killie had a great chance to regain the lead but Sammon overhit his pass into the path of Frazer Wright and his shot from a tight angle shot was saved at the near post by Marian Kello.

Marius Zaliukas then had a fortunate escape when he tried to cut out Eremenko's cross as he only succeeded in crashing the ball against his own crossbar.

It was a lucky break and they got another one in 86 minutes when Glen appeared to foul Wright at the edge of the box.

Ref Steve Conroy waved play on and Elliott gleefully smashed the loose ball into the net.

Hearts have had a s10,000 SFA fine wiped out after cleaning up their on-field act.

It was imposed last year due to repeated indiscipline but was suspended to see if things improved and has now been rescinded after just one red card has been picked up in the SPL so far this season.

Taken from the Daily Record