Hearts stormed into the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals with a 6-2 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Tynecastle, coming from behind after a spirited fightback from the visitors.
Rogers Mato, making his first start for the Jambos after joining from FC Vardar over seven months ago, netted his first goal in maroon with a second-half header that proved pivotal in turning the tie back in Hearts' favour.
Jambos fight back after Inverness surge
Inverness had taken the lead through Ryan Duncan and Alfie Bavidge in quick succession, cancelling out Christian Borchgrevink's opener for Hearts. But Mato's equaliser on the hour mark sparked a dominant spell, with Sabah Kerjota providing a string of assists as Hearts romped to victory.
Calvin Miller scored twice, with late strikes from substitutes James Wilson and Claudio Braga sealing the emphatic scoreline.
Kerjota shines as Hearts respond
Kerjota was at the heart of almost everything good for Hearts, delivering the cross for Mato's leveller and winning the penalty that made it 3-2. The forward also had a hand in the first, fourth and fifth goals, staking a strong claim for a start against Rapid Vienna on Thursday.
Hearts had made five changes from the side that drew with Benfica, with Claudio Braga and Blair Spittal starting on the bench and Rogers Mato brought in for his first start. Amadou Ba-Sy led the line and Borchgrevink returned at right back.
Caley Thistle rue missed opportunity
Inverness arrived in the capital unbeaten in six domestic matches this season, having conceded just one goal in those games. They had also lost only one of their last 29 domestic matches in regulation time.
Scott Kellacher's side took the game to Hearts early on, with Bavidge having a goal ruled out for offside after four minutes. They then fell behind to Borchgrevink's header from a free kick, but rallied with two goals in two minutes to lead 2-1.
However, Mato's leveller turned the momentum back in Hearts' favour, and the home side ran away with the game in the final half hour.
Hearts had not reached Hampden last season after falling at the first knockout hurdle in both cup competitions, and this win offers an immediate chance to improve on that campaign.
