Hearts boss happy to see the true Hartley

MARK BONTHRONE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein has revealed that midfielder Paul Hartley is now beginning to produce the kind of displays that persuaded him to swoop for the former Hibs and St Johnstone playmaker in the summer.

Hartley was outstanding in the Jambos’ 1-1 draw with Hibs at Easter Road at the weekend and is producing his best form since quitting McDiarmid Park for Gorgie.

A few eyebrows may have been raised among the Tynecastle faithful when he first signed for the club given the time he spent at Easter Road but after slow start to his Hearts career the 27-year-old now seems to have found his feet in the SPL.

An impressive performance in the 1-0 defeat by Celtic at the start of this month followed by a hard working display in a narrow win over Aberdeen seem to have won over any doubters in the Hearts support. And on Sunday they could be heard chanting his name as he looked the most likely player to carve open the Hibs defence. Indeed, he almost endeared himself to the visiting fans further with a stunning 25-yard free-kick midway through the second half only for his effort to come back off the upright.

"I thought Paul Hartley had another smashing game against Hibs," said Levein.

"He’s getting better every week and beginning to show some of the skill that he showed last year for St Johnstone.

"He’s working extremely hard and I really am delighted with his improvement in recent months."

Taken from the Scotsman