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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Livingston 0 Hearts 0 as battle for third unchanged, Rowles shows importance - 3 things we learned

Hearts and Livingston played out a goalless draw as the battle for third remains unchanged.

Robbie Neilson's men went into the showdown seven points ahead of the hosts - who have played a game less - and after a 90 minute battle in real tricky conditions, things remain the same in the fight to finish best of the rest. The capital club have shown a brilliant run of form and consistency since the World Cup shutdown return and extend their unbeaten run in West Lothian.

Both sides face big midweek fixtures under the lights with Hearts hosting Rangers at Tynecastle while David Martindale and his Lions face a trip to Glasgow to face league leaders Celtic. Here are three things we learned in part one of the Premiership Super Sunday double bill in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

READ MORE: Hearts player ratings vs Livingston as Robbie Neilson's men rue missed chances in drab draw

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Battle for third

Hearts went into this game seven points clear of Livingston having played a game more.

And things remain exactly the same after a goalless draw in West Lothian.

Robbie Neilson's men have enjoyed an incredible run of form since the World Cup shutdown return and that consistency really has them in the driving seat to finish best of the rest as the extended their unbeaten run at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

A big test awaits midweek as Michael Beale - unbeaten since returning to Ibrox - brings Rangers to Tynecastle.

You can bet the Jambos will go into that full of confidence. A real cracker under the lights to come.

Playing a major Rowl

Kye Rowles has been nothing short of brilliant since his arrival at Hearts.

And he showed his class once again with an incredible goal line clearance.

Zander Clark was beaten with a lobbed effort with the hosts certain to opening the scoring but his flying clearance into the air kept the scores level.

A new five-year deal recently penned and you can see why. A brilliant World Cup with Australia and that form has continued at club level for the Socceroos star.

Strength and depth

Hearts really do have a luxury of options at their disposal now.

Robbie Neilson was able to leave out Barrie McKay, Josh Ginnelly, Garang Kuol and Robert Snodgrass from his starting XI which just goes to show the real strength his squad has at the moment.

Factor in Craig Gordon and Craig Halkett are out for the long-term and the Jambos gaffer will be delighted with how he is placed.

No manager is ever satisfied of course and with a couple of days left in the transfer window, the Tynecastle gaffer has not hidden his desire to add at least one more to his ranks with Callum Paterson one they'd like in the door from Sheffield Wednesday.

Night and day from earlier in the campaign after the horrendous run of injuries that hit the capital club. All is coming together nicely.

READ NEXT:

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