Hearts Secure European Football
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 Heart of Midlothian 0
Ladbrokes SPFL Premiership, Tuesday 12 April 2016 – Caledonian Stadium
After their thrilling victory over Aberdeen in Gorgie last Friday evening, Hearts headed to the Highlands on Tuesday hoping to reduce the gap between themselves and the Dons to six points. Sadly, though, it was to prove a night of frustration for the Maroons in the Highland capital as they had to settle for a goalless draw. Nonetheless, it is a point which guarantees European football at Tynecastle next season – even if this will likely be in just a few weeks at the end of June…
Hearts Head Coach Robbie Neilson made three changes from Friday night’s pulsating encounter – Juwon Oshaniwa, Miguel Pallardo and Dario Zanatta replacing Igor Rossi, Prince Buaben and Sam Nicholson.
In truth, there wasn’t much to write home about the game as the scoreline suggests. Attempts on goal were about as rare as getting taxed on a gift from your mother although Hearts weren’t helped when Miguel Pallardo was crudely fouled by Draper and the Hearts man had to leave the field injured before half-time – Callum Paterson replacing him and making his first appearance for several weeks.
The only other moment of note in that first half was when Hearts Jamie Walker appeared to be fouled by Tremarco – only to be booked by referee Robertson for diving, a decision which incurred the wrath of Robbie Neilson.
The second half followed the pattern of the first forty-five minutes. Williams, Meekings and Polworth had chances for Caley Thistle while Hearts Juwon Oshaniwa had a fierce shot blocked.
The best chance of the evening fell to Hearts Abiola Dauda late in the game but his effort was saved by Thistle keeper Fon Williams.
The result means Hearts are now eight points behind second placed Aberdeen and while securing runners-up spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership now looks unlikely, a place in next season’s Europa League qualifiers is a tremendous achievement when you consider where Hearts were heading just two years ago.
As the Maroon Army heads back to the capital they’ll be making some noise – the Gorgie Boys are going to Europe!
Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Fon Williams, Meekimgs, Warren, Devine, Tremarco, Draper, Tansey, Vigurs, Polworth, Storey, Mbuyi-Mutombo
Hearts: Alexander, Souttar, Ozturk, Augustyn, Oshaniwa, Pallardo, Kitchen, Djoum, Zanatta, Walker, Juanma.
Referee: Don Robertson
Att: 3,202
Top Men/Women: Those travelling Hearts supporters who made the long journey north