Christmas cheer for Terry & Mo

Inverness completed the full house of achievements after a draw at Tynecastle with a stubborn defensive display to thwart Hearts attacking threat.  Hearts were restricted to dozens of long range efforts after coming from behind to deservedly earn a draw against the away day specialists from the Highlands.  Grant Munro opened the scoring after some debate as to who had the last touch, but big Kevin Kyle restored parity with an expertly taken penalty after Stephen Elliott was upended by Ryan Esson, who was yellow carded.  No doubt about the decision, and no doubt about the resultant spot kick as Esson went the wrong way.

Ginger Jaggy was there.........................................

The final away league game of the season saw us pick up another creditable point, which confirms that Caley Thistle have gone unbeaten for the calendar year of 2010. A few weeks ago we drew at Parkhead to remain unbeaten for a year and today we got that whole calendar year, and what a year it has been for everyone connected to the club. Today's game was a hard battle with us gaining a point after a very dominant display by Hearts, especially in the second half.

In the first half we started the game the better side as we settled on the ball early and passed it around neatly. Hearts looked a little hesitant and that was about to hurt them. In the seventeenth minute some sloppy hearts play allowed Inverness to streak forward and win a free kick outside the box, as Eggert Jonsson impeded Foran. The delivery was a decent one from Duncan, and with some criminal marking, Grant Munro powerfully headed home a free header from twelve yards. To the away fans it seemed a little bit of a scramble with Adam Rooney making a nuisance of himself in the six yard box. We didn't care though. One nil up and looking good the travelling support were in great voice against the backdrop of a fairly subdued home support. But after the goal Hearts stepped up a gear and then from then on they dominated the match possession wise.

The first major incident saw David Templeton burst into the box and go down. Brian Winter correctly penalised the striker amid the howling and booing from the home fans, and gave the young lad a yellow card for diving. But it wasn't long before they did get a penalty. Some neat build up play saw a lovely ball played inside by Kyle for Stephen Elliott to latch onto just before Ryan Esson could get there.  Elliott tried to round Esson as he came out, but he only succeeded in knocking the ball too far, unfortunately Ryan had committed himself to the challenge and upended Elliot with his follow through.  Just a yellow to our relief but the spot kick was comfortably put away by big Kevin Kyle. After that there was really only one team that looked like winning. Templeton who was flagged a major danger before the game hit a fantastic 25 yard screamer that beat Esson all ends up but unfortunately for the Hearts faithful it failed to beat the post as it smacked off it and out of play to our relief. Ryan Stevenson an early substitute for Ishmael Bouzid tested Esson for the first time with a decent shot from just outside the area. Esson who has had a great season between the sticks pulled off a great save to beat the ball away, to the chorus of Scotland's number three by the away contingent. Hearts created a few more half chances but we went in at half time all square in what was an entertaining first half.

Half Time 1-1

Hearts were quicker on the uptake in the second half, pressing Caley Thistle from the first minute. The dangerous Templeton was again involved latching onto a pass from Kyle, but he narrowly dragged his shot wide. Next up was Kyle himself but he blazed high and wide from a decent position. But it would be harsh on Inverness to say that the second half was about Hearts having some shooting practice – Which they failed miserably- Inverness looked dangerous on the counter attack and got themselves into some decent positions. Nick Ross – my man of the match for the lung bursting runs that he did – had an excellent game and it was as a result of one of these runs that the travelling support thought had put us in the lead. Ross' run was stopped with a foul and the resultant free kick ended in the net. Not too dissimilar to our first goal, Hearts defended poorly and allowed the flick to reach Rooney who confidently put the ball home. Unfortunately our celebrations were short lived as the offside flag went up.

As the game progressed further into its final stages Hearts pressed more and Caley Thistle started to drop deeper. Templeton had another effort which narrowly went off target and then Rudi Skacel raced clear down left and his shot across Esson narrowly missed the target if not even shaving the post. Rooney was a lone man now and all our clearances just kept returning like a boomerang. Calum Elliot was introduced for his name sake Stephen and he almost won it when his flick was saved by Esson's foot on the line. Hearts huffed and puffed at the death but we almost snatched an unlikely victory when Russell Duncan drove forward. With four players to choose from the space opened up for him and he had a go himself.  The effort was too direct at the keeper and was well saved by Kello, but it was comfortable really. The whistle sounded after a flurry of corners for Hearts deep into injury time to round off a great 2010 with Caley Thistle away from home, which sees us still unbeaten going into the new year and in the heavenly heights of fourth place in the SPL.

Great defensive performance from Inverness to stop Hearts six game winning run and keep our away record going.  All the heroes were in defence with Munro, Tokely and Duff getting to grips with a very lively Hearts attacking threat bolstered by the giant Kevin Kyle.  Duff in particular recovering well from receiving an early booking to halt the energetic Templeton on numerous forays forward.  Ginger Jaggy has Nick Ross high on his list, I'll plump for our goal scoring centre back and former captain Grant Munro who never put a foot wrong,  and also a goal saving block in the last ten minutes to avert a certain goal.

Hearts look a good bet for at least third place.  Some excellent attacking options , and for a wee guy, David Templeton packs a pretty ferocious shot.  He will be some player when he grows up.  Not since the days of Colquhoun, Robertson and Crabbe have the Jambo's had the luxury of such a potent attack, and with Kevin Kyle playing the Joe Jordan role, then things are looking up down Gorgie Road.

Enjoy your turkey guys, you have certainly earned it, and thanks for the early Xmas cheer.