Craig Beattie insists he wants to win over Hearts fans who abused him for scoring 2005 winner

Feb 24 2012 by Euan McLean

HEARTS new boy Craig Beattie is determined to win over the Tynecastle crowd who wanted to lynch him during his previous visits with Celtic.

The 28-year-old striker is in line to make his debut intomorrow’s home clash against Dundee United after signing a deal to the end of the season.

And this time he is hoping for a warmer welcome to Gorgie after revealing his memories of running the gauntlet of hate when he scored a late winner for Celtic during the 2005 title run-in, which ended in disappointment for the Hoops on Helicopter Sunday.

Beattie said: “My best memory of Tynecastle was scoring the winner with three games to go in the season. It was 1-0 but the season didn’t end too well.

“I just hope the same kids who were giving me pelters then are now cheering me on. Hopefully they’ll be a bit wiser and not so aggressive towards me.

“But you have to enjoy that, even if the kids are trying to jump over and burst you! It was enjoyable, probably because I always knew I was quick enough to run away from them!

“Tynecastle is a tough,intimidating place and hopefully between now and the end of the season we can make it a bit of a fortress.”

Beattie’s arrival on a free after being released by Swansea is remarkably boss Paulo Sergio’s first signing since he took charge six months ago.

He’ll bring with him valuable experience, having moved from Celtic to West Brom in a £1.25million deal and loan spells at Preston, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United before helping Swansea reach the Premiership.

The capture of a former Scotland international will boost the Hearts front line following the departure of John Sutton on loan to Australian side Central Coast Mariners last month as part of a cost-cutting drive at the club.

But Beattie insists he never thought twice about joining a club that failed to pay its players on time last year.

He said: “It’s something which excited me. I know how big the club is having been in the league before with Celtic. I had options and I weighed those up. It wasn’t a financial decision to come here. It was a football decision.

“What’s been happening off-field is certainly not my – or any of the other boys’ – concerns.

“I feel I’m coming back toScotland a better player for my experience in England. I’ve had two promotions and a play-off final defeat in my four-and-a-bit years down there and I’ve gained a lot of knowledge. Hopefully I can show that once I get the opportunity.

“I had until the end of the season at Swansea but felt it was better to move on early. We gained promotion last season and the manager signed a couple of quality players, spending a lot of money on Danny Graham and Leroy Lita.

“So chances have been few and far between. The manager, Brendan Rodgers, is a very reasonable man and was happy to sort me out with a settlement and let me go and continue my career.”

Jambos boss Sergio believes the arrival of Beattie is a sign the financial position at the club is getting stronger after being forced to offload Sutton, Eggert Jonsson and Ryan Stevenson last month.

Sergio said: “He was a solution as he was a free player, he needed a club to do his job and maybe we needed a player up front too.

“When John went it was to save the money from his wages, I believe but in the last few weeks we have not created as many chances as before.

“Now it’s a different deal with Beattie and I hope it’s a sign things are getting better. I believe people are working for that.”

Taken from the Daily Record