Paulo Sergio’s pride as unpaid Hearts get the job done at Easter Road

By Stuart Bathgate, at Easter Road
Published on Tuesday 3 January 2012 00:00

HEARTS claimed all three points in the Edinburgh derby yesterday with two goals in the last seven minutes, in the process deepening Hibernian’s plight at the bottom of the table.

After stretching their unbeaten run in the fixture to nine, Hearts are now fourth in the SPL, ahead of St Johnstone on goal difference. Hibs remain clear of the bottom by a single point.

Ryan McGowan, Andy Webster and Rudi Skacel were on target for Hearts, while a Marius Zaliukas own goal was Hibs’ only response. The 3-1 victory made it ten points out of 12 for Paulo Sergio’s side in their last four matches, a remarkable turnaround of form after they had won only once in their previous seven. Sergio’s squad still do not know when they will receive their December salaries, having been paid late in October and November, and their complaint against their employers will be heard tomorrow by the SPL board. For a time their financial problems had an obvious effect on their form, but over the past month they have risen above those difficulties to put together their most consistent spell of the season so far.

“Obviously circumstances are difficult but when the boys step out on the pitch it gives them that freedom to go and express themselves,” Webster said. “I think we’ve shown in the last two or three weeks that we’ve definitely picked up, and we’re playing exceptionally well.”

Midfielder Ryan Stevenson has refused to play for Hearts again as a result of the unpaid wages, but Webster insisted there had never been a time that the rest of the squad had considered not giving their all on the pitch. “No, definitely not,” he said. “I don’t think that’s the case whatsoever. As you’ve seen today and as has been the case for the last few weeks, the boys are working extremely hard for each other and putting in the effort and reaping the rewards.”

The departure of Eggert Jonsson for Wolves means that Sergio has already lost two players, and the manager knows that more may leave this month, but he declared that he remains committed to the cause. “I don’t know what will happen in January, but I know if we have good propositions, we have to sell,” he said. “I’m a fighter. I’ve never had easy jobs, and our supporters can trust that since I arrived I’ve never thought about myself. I love the club and I feel a Jambo like them. I want to do everything I can to do the best for the club. I’m very, very happy for the players. They deserve it more than anyone. I think we deserved the three points.”

Sergio added that even when Ian Black’s penalty was saved late in the first half with the score goalless he had not begun to worry that it might not be Hearts’ day. “At that moment I knew we were going to score – we were playing very well,” he explained. “I didn’t like the start of the second half because we lost control of the game. [Hibs] were a little more aggressive at that time and we took some time to adapt to that. In the end, we created all the good chances and we could have scored more goals.

“We are showing a very good team spirit and are fighting together. I’m very proud of that.” Hibs manager Pat Fenlon would gladly have Sergio’s problems if that also meant having the same strength in depth.

This was a fourth defeat in five games for the new manager, who hopes to add several players to his squad in addition to striker Eoin Doyle, who made his debut as a substitute yesterday. “We have been in this position for a while,” Fenlon admitted. “Confidence at the club is low and it is up to me to try to change that. We are looking to bring in new players and we are actively trying to do that at the moment.

“There are a couple of things bubbling away, but you don’t want to say they are over the line until they are done and dusted. There will be players leaving the club over the next week or two, but it is more important that we get some in at the moment.”

Garry O’Connor, who came on with Doyle in the closing minutes, was unable to start because of a toe injury. His absence up front highlighted how important he has been for Hibs this season, but the main problem was again in defence.

Fenlon argued that Stephen Elliott was offside when Ryan McGowan scored the opener, and also thought McGowan could have been dismissed when he poked his head into Ivan Sproule’s stomach. But his main emphasis was on his own side’s failings. “I have seen the first goal again and he looks offside. We haven’t had a little bit of the rub of the green since I’ve been here, but hopefully that will change. You just have to bear with it until it changes.

“And if you go by the letter of the law it’s a red card, but I don’t want to advocate fellas getting sent off. But we have to deal with the throw-in better,” he continued, referring to the move begun by McGowan which led to Webster’s goal.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose the game 3-1. If we get that sort of performance, attitude and application over the next few weeks we can get ourselves out of the problem we are in. I can’t fault the players today. I thought they gave everything they possibly could.”

Taken from the Scotsman