Craig: Fans willed us to victory

BY PAUL KIDDIE

JUBILANT Hearts boss Craig Levein today thanked the fans for helping the Jambos secure a vital win over Aberdeen, the Gorgie boss claiming: "You willed us to victory at Pittodrie."

Around 500 supporters braved the elements to cheer on their team last night and they were rewarded when substitute Gary Wales struck a 90th-minute winner to send third-placed Hearts four points clear of Dunfermline following the Pars’ defeat to Dundee at East End Park.

Levein was looking for a response after Saturday’s embarrassing Scottish Cup exit at Brockville and while he was full of praise for the way in which his players performed in atrocious conditions, the Hearts boss gave special mention to the supporters who made the trip north on one of the wildest nights Pittodrie has seen for some time.

"To be honest there was a stage when I didn’t think the game was going to get finished," he said.

"They were extremely difficult conditions in which to play. The players deserve a special word but so do the fans.

"It is important for me that there is a special empathy between the players and the supporters and I felt the fans willed us on to victory at Pittodrie.

"The players suffered just as much as the fans at Falkirk on Saturday and it was important they felt as badly as the fans after what happened. I think they showed that by the way in which they worked so hard and did everything they could to win the game."

To many people’s surprise, Levein refused to be too critical of his men after the 4-0 thumping by the First Division Bairns. But they certainly responded in appropriate fashion last night against the Dons.

"Although the temptation was there, I didn’t come down heavily on the players after Saturday as I just knew it wasn’t like them.

"That’s why I preferred to look at the preparations instead. And I am really thrilled for them as they got a bit of stick at the weekend, albeit deservedly so."

The only down side to the victory was an injury sustained by Stephane Mahe towards the end of the first half, the full-back injuring his troublesome Achilles after an accidental collision with Stephen Payne as the pair chased a loose ball.

The Frenchman has only just returned to fitness following four months out on the sidelines and now looks set to endure a further period out of the action after being stretchered off at Pittodrie minutes before half-time.

"Stephane Mahe took a kick on the Achilles which has been bothering him," said Levein.

"The fact it was a kick and not a tear or a pull is a bit more hopeful but when you get to the age of 34 it gets that little bit more difficult to recover."

Dutch striker Mark de Vries is also struggling to make Saturday’s visit of Dunfermline after going off with a hamstring problem.

Taken from the Scotsman