ROMAN RELIEVED HE PUT BATTLING BAIRNS TO BED

SIX-SHOOTER Roman Bednar breathed a sigh of relief after netting the winner against Falkirk.

The Czech frontman swooped late on to hit the goal - his sixth of the season - and leave Hearts within touching distance of second-placed Rangers.

Hearts have lost only two of their last 10 in the SPL as their Champions League push gains momentum and supersub Bednar was delighted to grab the winner.

He said: "I was scared there was only going to be one goal in the game and I'm just happy it was us who scored it.

"I'm not looking at the table because there is still a long way to go but we need to win every week.

"Falkirk are always a tough side to play against so this is an important win for us."

Bednar insisted his role in the bust-up that led to Darren Barr's dismissal was to play peacemaker with Falkirk keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

He said: "I don't think Vela made a very good tackle in the first place and everyone wanted to fight him so me and Schmeichel had to get in there and defend him.

"Did he dive? Maybe that's a question you should ask him. I didn't see it so I don't know but the referee sent him off."

Hearts coach Valdas Ivanauskas, who is no doubt fed-up fire-fighting controversy, ducked the press conference.

Assistant Steve Frail said: "We'll play better and lose but after taking nothing against Celtic last week we'll take a victory any way it comes.

"Falkirk deserve plenty of credit but we battled away and we're happy with the three points."

Hearts keeper Craig Gordon, struggling with a groin injury, wasn't risked ahead of this week's Ibrox showdown.

Taken from the Daily Record