Hearts defender Kisnorbo delighted with his debut

PAUL KIDDIE

AUSSIE ace Patrick Kisnorbo today hailed the dream start to his Hearts career, the defender insisting: "Things couldn’t have gone any better for me."

The 22-year-old made his first full start for the Gorgie outfit in Saturday’s impressive 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, Kisnorbo strolling through the game at left-back.

Just last week boss Craig Levein admitted it was only a matter of time before the summer arrival would make his mark in the first team.

And although he has had to wait for his opportunity, Kisnorbo seized his chance with both hands as he helped Hearts record a fourth clean sheet in five SPL matches as the Gorgie outfit launched its league campaign in encouraging fashion.

The four-times capped stopper made his debut from the bench in the recent win over Dunfermline at Tynecastle but revelled in the responsibility of pulling on a jersey for the 90 minutes for the first time.

"I tried to treat Saturday as just another game," said Kisnorbo, "and it was great to keep another clean sheet.

"I came on against Dunfermline and we won the game and then started at Kilmarnock at the weekend and we took the points with an excellent display.

"It’s been a dream start to my career at Hearts. It’s great to be part of a winning team at a new club but things couldn’t have gone any better for me.

"Now I am in the team, though, I have to keep working hard to hang on to my place in the side."

Levein labelled the performance as the best he’d seen from his players since he took over as manager and today he praised the team effort. "I thought we defended exceptionally well," he said. "But it wasn’t just the defenders. The strikers’ work rate was incredible and it was the same for the midfielders. That reduces the work the defence has to do but anything that was thrown at them, they handled very well. It’s a team game. Players will win plaudits and international caps but for me the important thing is to win as a team and that’s what we did at Kilmarnock."

Towering striker Mark de Vries smashed both goals to take his tally for the season to four but it was his all-round display which caught the eye on Saturday, the giant Dutchman looking dangerous with the ball at his feet but also more than willing to help out at the back when required. And he won glowing praise from team-mate Kisnorbo. "He has good control, is quick for such a big man and is a huge player for the team," said the Australian.

Taken from the Scotsman