Levein: We will bounce back from Parkhead pain

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein today insisted the Jambos will bounce back from the crushing disappointment of seeing victory ripped from their grasp by Celtic’s storming comeback at Parkhead.

The Gorgie outfit were forced to settle for a point after two late goals from the home side rescued a 2-2 draw after strikes from Kevin McKenna and Mark de Vries had seemingly put the visitors on course for a famous triumph with just two minutes of the match remaining.

Chris Sutton gave the champions-elect a glimmer of hope before Didier Agathe slammed home the injury-time equaliser to leave Hearts shattered.

The Tynecastle men, though, don’t have long to dwell on the dramatic swing in fortunes with a trip to Fir Park looming on Wednesday.

And Levein, who will be forced to go into the game without the services of McKenna, who was concussed after an accidental clash with Bobo Balde in the second half on Saturday, is confident his players will not suffer any adverse reaction.

"There is still a sense of disappointment but the lads are feeling very positive about the Motherwell game," he said.

"We have some very important matches coming up and it is vital we remain focused."

The draw stretched Hearts’ unbeaten league run to ten games and Levein added: "That includes both sides of the Old Firm and that’s the first time that has happened since I have been here. I would have liked to have won more of those games but the statistics are still encouraging.

"We tried to win the match on Saturday. We had a lot of belief and we did a lot of things well - a lot of things. We took the ball in tight areas and tried to pass and keep possession. We did all of that."

Taken from the Scotsman