Naismith lifts the trophy in muted celebrations

Hearts Inverness CT 3 0

HEARTS opted for diplomacy as they lifted aloft the Championship trophy following a convincing 3-0 victory over Inverness Caley Thistle.

With SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster watching on, the players and staff collected their winners’ medals before only club captain Steven Naismith got his hands on the silverware.

The muted celebrations came after some fans had wanted the squad to leave the trophy on the stand as a protest against the league body for the way the club were controversially relegated from the curtailed Premiership last term.

Manager Robbie Neilson said: “We understand the frustrations of the fans who didn’t want us to lift it, but also there was a group of fans who wanted us to lift it. I think we did it well. We didn’t go over the top.”

The title celebration came at the end of a game won through Gary Mackay-Steven’s brace and an Aaron McEneff strike. The result ended Inverness’ play-off hopes.

Mackay-Steven was involved in the opening two goals, scoring the first then finding Liam Boyce in the box with a reverse pass as the striker cut back for

McEneff to score. The third was down to Caley’s slapdash defending as Inverness defender Robbie Deas and Mark Ridgers left it to each other with the ball ricocheting in off Mackay-Steven.

The second half was end to end, although the major talking point was Caley boss Neil McCann being sent off by referee John Beaton following a fierce row with his opposite number.

He said: “I lost my cool. That’s as much as I’ll say about it.”