Hearts boss Craig Levein frustrated after drawing a blank against Ross County
Craig Levein cut a frustrated figure after seeing Hearts dominate but be held to a goalless draw by Ross County.
Craig Levein cut a frustrated figure after seeing Hearts dominate but be held to a goalless draw by Ross County.
Levein's side, who have struggled for goals so far this season, enjoyed a host of chances but were unable to beat Staggies' keeper Aaron McCarey.
The goalkeeper made a string of saves from Jamie Walker and Isma Goncalves, and made a fine stop late on to deny Christophe Berra as the Jambos were denied a first win back at Tynecastle.
“There's a contrast in emotions,'' Levein said after the match. “I'm delighted in the performance, but disappointed with the result, but compared to last week it s a big step forward.
“That's how I want the team to play so we've go to get more goals obviously, but looking back that's how we want to play.
“Jon McLaughlin didn't have a shot to save and (it was) almost the same as last week when they (Partick Thistle) only had two shots.
“I felt we did a lot of things really well, we sustained the pressure and kept it on. Their goalkeeper made numerous really good saves so I'm disappointed in the result but the performance was good.''
The result leaves Hearts on 17 points from 15 games, scoring just 13 goals all season but Levein is confident things will eventually turn for his players if they continue to play like they did.
He added: “Today was one of those days. The longer it went on I just hopes we'd nick a goal and we'd be happy, but we have to just keep plugging away.
“I'm just fed up after watching that. They did everything that was asked of them except put the ball in the net. Sometimes it's hard.
“Once you start scoring goals, it just seems to be easy and hopefully that's next week.''
The late double save from McCarey - he reacted quickly to deny Goncalves after his initial save from Berra - drew praise from County boss Owen Coyle, who played down Hearts' dominance and suggested his side were denied a goal after Alex Schalk's effort was ruled out for offside.
He said: “I think he had an outstanding save from Berra late on. It was a wonderful header and a good save, but one I expect him to make.
“It was a big save to make and it helped earn a valuable point.
“I think we started really well and should have scored through Schalk when it rattled off the post, and then he did score and I'm led to believe he was clearly onside.
“Those are huge moments because goals change games.''
He added: “It's a great point and what we've shown is we're structured and organised.'