THE erratic nature of this season's results has led to successful

raids on the bookmakers' satchels. But do not ask Grant Tierney for any

assistance.

No matter how treacherous your fortune might be, the Partick Thistle

defender has clearly irked Lady Luck something terrible, judged by

Saturday's evidence at Tynecastle.

After 38 minutes he found his body unwillingly interfering to send a

Justin Fashanu cross spinning behind his own keeper, Craig Nelson, for

Hearts' second goal.

Referee Jim Herald also spotted Grant's penchant for ill luck when the

Firhill player became the game's only booking, after a hefty challenge

on Tosh McKinlay two minutes from half-time.

Worse was to follow when he brutally butted Fashanu's elbow with his

nose and the Hearts striker was sent off.

Tierney, after prolonged efforts to restore full awareness, finally

gave the afternoon up, clearly dazed.

Trouble was that several of his team-mates didn't seem all that sure

either, in a game when only Fashanu's foolishness offered Partick the

chance to take something from their labours.

By the time Hearts were reduced to 10 men, they had established a

two-goal lead and a confidence that threatened to see Nelson beaten

several times more.

Craig Levein's close-in header was followed by Tierney's own goal,

before Gerry Britton took advantage of brief post-red card uncertainty

in the home defence to produce a contest again.

However, even a man short, Hearts regained their authority. Levein was

an outstanding organiser, John Colquhoun a willing raider up front, and

18-year-old full back Gary Locke was an absolute pleasure to watch. This

young talent's call-up for Scotland's Under-21 team to meet Switzerland

tomorrow night is long overdue.

Defender Graeme Hogg couldn't believe his luck in the final minute

when his header smacked the bar. Still, he looked like a pools-winner

compared with Tierney.