Christie almighty
Partick hero fires a dagger through the Hearts to earn replay
THE banner in the away end was directed at the Scottish Cup schedulers but Christie Elliott clearly got the message too.
Travelling Hearts fans unfurled a banner reading “Weekdays are for replays” at Firhill last night and thanks to the Partick full-back they now have one.
Craig Levein’s men looked to be heading for their first semifinal in seven years after skipper Christophe Berra’s 12th-minute header put them on course for a showdown with Inverness.
Then Elliott popped up 19 minutes from time to earn Gary Caldwell’s Championship bottom dogs another crack a week today at Tynecastle.
Craig Slater slung over an outside of the boot cross from the left and the 27-year-old waltzed in at the back post to volley home against the run of play. This after Sean Clare and Uche Ikpeazu both struck the bar as the Jambos dominated for large spells.
Jags boss Caldwell said: “It was a great cup tie. It was a big disappointment in the first half.
“We knew we’d have to defend and deal with Hearts’ physicality at set-pieces. They have great variation and we did that very well apart from the goal.
“Once we grew into the game in the second half we were outstanding. We played well, passed the ball well and scored a brilliant goal. “We played in their half more and had territory higher up the pitch. They had to show courage and bravery on the ball.
“I told them it’s about confidence. I told them after the game I believe they’re good players and they have to believe it too and start showing their quality week in, week out.”
Hearts could have led inside 60 seconds when Berra met Ben Garuccio’s cross from the left only to head wide.
Berra was not to be denied his second goal of the season and captain marvel enjoyed his moment after Steven Saunders needlessly conceded a corner.
Oliver Bozanic’s set-piece to the edge of the area was cleverly volleyed back into the danger
area by Garuccio and Berra rose to power a header high into the net. Hearts looked menacing from set-plays while Saunders had to react smartly to block Ikpeazu’s effort after he’d been slipped in by Steven MacLean.
Thistle, who had lost their last two, were struggling to gain any foothold. The only surprise was the score remained 1-0.
That said, Gary Harkins did waste a free-kick from 25 yards out, sending it well over.
A minute before the interval the Firhill crowd saw more superb work by Ikpeazu on the left that ended with him crashing a looping shot past.
Thistle started to get a better grip on Hearts’ physical threat after the restart and sprung into life in 58 minutes when Aidan Fitzpatrick strode forward with purpose and unleashed a shot that fizzed inches over. Ten minutes later Ikeapzu, chasing a first goal since his return from injury, broke free down the right and pulled the ball back to Arnaud Djoum who sent an effort too high.
Conor Hazard’s woodwork took two dints when first Clare’s shot smacked back off it then Ikpeazu’s headed rebound bounced off the top of the bar.
And Jags stunned the away fans moments later when Slater crossed from the left and there was Elliott in the right place at the right time for his second goal in three games. Ikpeazu weaved his way into the box in 77 minutes and went down but no penalty was given as another 90 looms in Gorgie. Caldwell said: “This is a good team that have only lost twice since January. We have to keep playing like that in the league but it should give the players huge confidence and belief they can do that for the rest of the season.” Hearts’ remarkable record of not having lost to Thistle in the Scottish Cup since 1921 – the year the Jags lifted the trophy for the one and only time – remains intact. Although that stat will be of scant consolation to Levein.