Banks' heart goes out to Makalambay

"It's tough, because obviously he's made a couple of decent saves in the first half," Banks said. "I think the header was quite close, five yards out or something, and there your reactions are limited with time really. So it's a tough one, but I'm sure he'll look at it and they (Makalambay and Hibs goalkeeping coach Gordon Marshall] will be working on reactions and things. He'll come back and make good saves like he did in the first half, there's no doubt about that.

"He's come for some great crosses, he's 6ft 8in tall or whatever he is, he's done his job there. It's unfortunate he might have done better with the goal."

Makalambay himself appeared unwilling to take full responsibility for the goal, and his manager, Mixu Paatelainen, pointed out that other players could have done better before the ball got to Velicka.

Paatelainen said: "How the goal came was not a goalkeeping error. It was a set-piece and we lost a vitally important header. At the knock-down we were not sharp enough either. There were plenty other players around. It is definitely not the case of pointing the finger at one player."

Makalambay, who left the pitch to the sound of his name being chanted by the home supporters, added: "Let them sing whatever they want. At least they know my name. It is some kind of celebrity for me. I am not upset with myself about the goal and it is not as if it was a mistake or anything. It was such a close header and I tried to stop it. I didn't do it quite well enough. It was more a reaction than anything else."

Nonetheless, the goal will still go down as the latest in a series of derby gaffes by Hibs goalkeepers, with Andy McNeil, Simon Brown and Zibi Malkowski also having contributed in recent years.

Hearts have not been immune from howlers either, although in their case it has more often happened against the Old Firm, with Craig Gordon and Eduardas Kurskis having been the keepers in question. On Saturday, however, Banks coped solidly with what was at best a muted threat from Hibs' forwards, and had little difficulty in keeping a clean sheet at Tynecastle for the first time this season. First clean sheet since whenever it was – it's enjoyable," he said. "I'm pleased with the win, with the performance of the lads, the clean sheet, and hopefully the fans have all gone home happy," he said. "It's been a pleasing day for us."

Banks displayed a good understanding with his back four, and singled out the centre-back and captain, Christophe Berra, for praise. "I think Christophe has a bright future, I would say international class," he explained. "David Weir is going on and on and on, and it might be just the right opportunity whenever he decides in a year or two, Christophe will be ready to go in and fill his boots, and I'm sure he will do."

Banks could have been travelling to Inverness yesterday rather than staying at Tynecastle, had Hearts accepted an offer for his services from Rangers. Instead, they offered him a new, two-and-a-half-year contract, and he needed little or no persuading to sign it. "It's been an interesting situation, the last couple of weeks, but I'm pleased the way it's panned out. Today has been the icing on the cake for me, because I want to be part of the team that's beaten Hibs and threatening the top of the league. I didn't think about it (the Rangers offer] at all.

Taken from the Scotsman
It never got to me. It was just down to the two clubs, and I signed for Hearts because I'm more than happy here."