Jim Jefferies is thrilled with the way his Hearts side are performing as the crucial festive fixtures approach.
Hearts saw their six-match winning run end on Saturday as Inverness claimed a 1-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League draw to extend their unbeaten away run into another year.
"We pummelled them," he said. "It fell for them, it just wouldn't fall for us. They got lucky a couple of times."
Jefferies' side were the dominant force from the start, but Grant Munro's header put Caley Thistle in front after 17 minutes before Kevin Kyle equalised from the penalty spot eight minutes later.
David Templeton, who continued his hot run of form and was mesmerising throughout, hit the post from long range and went close in the second half but the visitors held firm under Hearts' constant pressure.
He added: "We've probably won games when we didn't play nearly as well, but there are no negatives. I thought we were immense. There's a buzz about the place, a buzz about the players, they're all enjoying their football and it showed on the park."
The result meant Hearts missed the opportunity to move level with Celtic in second place, albeit with the Bhoys having two games in hand after their match at Hamilton was postponed. But Jefferies, whose side have won eight and drawn one of their last 10 games, is optimistic for the future with Scotland full-back Lee Wallace and winger Andrew Driver set for imminent returns to bolster the Hearts ranks.
Their return will give Jefferies a selection dilemma, with Ruben Palazuelos playing well at left-back and Ryan Stevenson, who came on as a substitute yesterday and earned praise from his manager for his performance, among those competing for a midfield berth.
Hearts' last defeat was the 3-0 reverse to Kilmarnock on October 31 and Jefferies takes his team to Rugby Park on Boxing Day keen to see old friends and continue Hearts' run.
Former Killie boss Jefferies said: "Kilmarnock got a lot of confidence from that. (But) we've got players back that weren't playing that day and we're a better team."
Source: PA
