Richie Foran praises Inverness' fighting spirit after draw

Richie Foran reckoned his Inverness players turned back the clock as the basement boys battled for a deserved point at Tynecastle.

The Caley Thistle boss questioned his squad's bottle after they surrendered meekly to relegation rivals Hamilton last month.

But this time he hailed them for putting on a vintage display of fight and determination during the 1-1 draw with Hearts.

Missing key defenders Gary Warren, Josh Meekings and Brad McKay - as well as on-loan Billy King, who was barred from facing his parent club - the Highlanders still managed to take the fight to Ian Cathro's men.

Carl Tremarco put the visitors ahead after 24 minutes when he was allowed to wander unmarked and nod home from Greg Tansey's free-kick.

But they were pegged back by Arnaud Djoum's leveller 19 minutes into the second period.

However, while they were lucky to survive Hearts hitting the woodwork twice before Jamie Walker's missed penalty with 15 minutes left, Foran could not hide his pride.

The Irishman said: “That was the old Inverness - the fighting Inverness.

“All season we have looked good going forward and have been a goal threat - but we were lazy going back the ways.

“What sparked that change? The players, meeting, training, sticking together and letting them know they weren't doing their job properly but keeping them positive at the same time.

“We showed spirit and put on a battling performance. We frustrated Hearts at times and looked good on the counter.

“All in all, it's a fair result for me.”

While Caley Thistle have now gone 14 Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures without a win, the point gained in Gorgie does draw them to with two of second bottom Accies.

But the stalemate is a concern for Hearts boss Cathro ahead of Wednesday night's William Hill Scottish Cup replay with city rivals Hibs and he admits his team need to sharpen up in front of goal.

He said: “We have dominated the game and created enough chances to win a match and a half.

“We played well at times and the players did a lot of good things but we suffer the disappointment of not seeing out a game we should be winning.

“Perhaps we can be more clinical with the chances we create, particularly those inside the box.

“Normally Jamie would put the penalty away. He's a player of quality but there is no problem with that. He is fine.

“But we also suffer from the fact we failed to defend a set-piece.”

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