Hearts 3 - 0 Inverness CT RECAP: Championship winners lift trophy after easy win
The league winners will lift the Championship trophy after the match following much speculation as to whether it would be left on the stand, as per the desire of many fans, or be hoisted into the air by captain Steven Naismith. Hearts confirmed it will be the latter.
Robbie Neilson’s men will be looking to bounce back from the midweek draw with Greenock Morton by putting on a positive display against a team still fighting for promotion.
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Hide AdThe Highlanders, under the interim charge of Neil McCann, are just behind Dunfermline Athletic who occupy the third and final play-off spot. ICT have been on a fine run of late and possess Hibs star Scott Allan on loan.
We will have updates throughout the day from Tynecastle, including analysis and reaction following the game.
Hearts v Inverness CT LIVE: Updates, reaction and analysis from Tynecastle Park
Key Events
- Kick-off - 3pm
- Team news - 1.45pm
HT: Hearts 3 - 0 ICT
A fine first 45 minutes for the champions. ICT could have gone ahead early on through Scott Allan but he fizzed his shot over the bar after getting free at a corner. From that moment onwards it was all about Hearts.
Neilson’s men have looked really comfortable in their 3-4-1-2. And it is a system which has caused real issues for the Highlanders.
Neil McCann has been unhappy with his players, particularly Scott Allardice early on as they struggled to press the right players.
Michael Smith’s movement with and without the ball out of defence has given the Hearts attack thrust from deep with Logan pushing high on the right.
Boyce has been dropping off, picking up the ball and linking. He had more touches in the first 15 minutes than he did in the whole game against Morton it seemed. GMS is having his best game for Hearts, moving vertically, coming short but then spinning and running in behind. His first goal was a lovely finish, his second was all about his pace.
The likes of McEneff and Gnanduillet have been important supporting characters.
The only negative about the performance, Peter Haring’s injury. The Austrian had a strong start but had to be replaced after getting a knock on his hip.
Irving ready to replace Haring
The Austrian took a knock to his hip earlier in the half. Straight down the tunnel to get treatment.
Neilson gets a word from Madden
Bobby Madden comes across to speak to Neilson who was unhappy with the placement of an Inverness free-kick.
3-0 Hearts!
A nothing ball through the middle sees GMS putting pressure on Danny Devine as he ushered it back to Ridgers but the ball is flicked over the exposed ICT goalkeeper and drops into the bottom corner.
Inverness issues
Inverness have been having a difficult time dealing with Hearts’ movement and system. The bench have been unhappy with Scott Allardice already and McMann has switched Mackay and Allan with the latter moving wide.
Gnanduillet chance
A free-kick from the left found the head of the Frenchman but he couldn’t get over it enough to divert it under the bar.
Really open game
Inverness need the points and it shows. They have approached the game looking to win and it has enlivened Hearts who can counter into space.
GMS has been very lively so far, Haring has been at his snapping best and Boyce has had more touches in the first 15 than the whole game against Morton.
2-0 Hearts
The home side double the lead through Aaron McEneff.
Some nice play down the right-hand side before Boyce found McEneff and like GMS, zipped a shot into the same bottom corner, albeit with the aid of a deflection.