Hearts goal hero Darren Barr gets reward for his patience

May 21 2012 By Gary Ralston

HIS family piled on at 40-1 and Darren Barr is just relieved he didn’t pile out when offered the chance to quit Hearts.

The Jambos’ unlikely goal hero against Hibs is still coming to terms with winning his first major medal in football.

The former Falkirk star scored his first goal for the club at Hampden, two years after his Bosman move from Westfield.

His decisive strike set the tone in the Scottish Cup Final – and prompted a queue at the bookies from the ecstatic Barr clan who had put their money on him as first goalscorer at generous odds.

Hearts’ victory justified his decision to stick around in January, even though he was tempted by a switch to Bristol Rovers.

He said: “My brother and dad had money on me – I’m hearing I was at 40-1 for first goalscorer.

“I scored against Dunfermline earlier this season but it was given as an own goal and deep down I knew that would be the case. But I always felt it would only be a matter of time before I scored.

“I had a tough start to my Hearts career but I’m enjoying myself and football changes, with people coming in and out.

“I’m grateful to get this chance and to have done OK since coming into the side.

“Yes, I could have gone to Bristol Rovers. At the time I just wanted games because I had waited so long to play.

“I had been at Hearts a while and hadn’t really played which was frustrating because I felt I could do a job.

“But the final win is what you dream of and, ultimately, it’s not about me. It is about the whole team who played very well and got the result that mattered.

“The boys have all been galvanised by the way things have gone at the club. We get on really well and it’s no surprise because we all have confidence in each other. We just had to stick together.”

Barr was on the losing Falkirk side in the Scottish Cup Final back in 2009 when Nacho Novo’s wonder strike secured the famous old trophy for Rangers.

He added: “It’s crazy. I loved Falkirk and it would have been great if we had got a result that day. Maybe we deserved something but you are only remembered for the result and nothing else.”

Barr also admitted Hearts are set to miss the influence of departing Ian Black next term. He added: “Ian is great on the ball, very composed and good to play beside.”

Taken from the Daily Record