Hero Hearts keeper Jamie MacDonald: I spooked Inverness CT into missing crucial penalty

JAMIE MacDONALD says he screamed at Philip Roberts as the winger stepped up to take Caley Thistle’s fifth penalty - it paid off as he smashed it over the bar sending Hearts into the final.
Hearts Jamie MacDonald celebrates during League Cup Semi Final Hearts Jamie MacDonald celebrates during League Cup Semi Final

HEARTS keeper Jamie MacDonald insists he spooked Inverness star Philip Roberts into missing the spot-kick that sent the 10-man Jambos back to Hampden.

The Gorgie men recovered from Andrew Shinnie’s opener to level through Michael Ngoo in yesterday’s League Cup semi at Easter Road.

They then held on for penalties after midfielder Scott Robinson saw red 15 minutes from the end of normal time.

And MacDonald claimed he had a bawl in the shootout by copying England No.1 Joe Hart. He screamed at Roberts as the winger stepped up to take Caley Thistle’s fifth penalty and it paid off as the sub blazed over.

The 26-year-old said: “When Roberts stepped up I just started screaming at him. I don’t know if he heard me but he seemed to.

“I wasn’t shouting anything in particular – just screaming.

“I saw Joe Hart do it once and thought I would give it a bash.

“I didn’t have much luck before then so why not try something different?

“I didn’t save one today so I was actually quite gutted but thankfully we’ve come through.

“Everybody came to me at the end, even though I hadn’t done anything.

“It was nice because they’re usually shouting at me.”
Hearts set for Hampden return after penalty shootout win over Inverness

MacDonald made a big contribution during the game, pulling off two great saves from Billy McKay.

The in-form Inverness striker also missed an extra-time sitter and MacDonald was relieved to come through a tense tie.

Hearts will now face either Celtic or St Mirren at Hampden in March – just months after crushing Hibs in the Scottish Cup Final.

The Jambos have been in turmoil off the field as they battle for survival but stand just 90 minutes away from another trophy.

MacDonald said: “It was a typical cup game today – it had the lot.

“From a neutral point of view it was an exciting game to watch but it wasn’t good for the heart.

“McKay and Andrew Shinnie have scored a load of goals this year and we knew that coming in.

“They’re dangerous players and it was nice to get a save early doors from McKay. It was just a case of waiting then trying to react and thankfully I managed to get down, put a good hand on it and keep it at 0-0

“For the second one I thought he was miles offside but I’ll need to see it again on the telly.

“It’s great to be in the final especially after last year.

“Few teams outwith the Old Firm reach back-to-back cup finals and considering where the club has been over the last 18 months it’s a credit to the players

“It was difficult but it was the same as the last round against Dundee United. We were down to 10 men and had to hold out for penalties in that game as well.”

MacDonald was full of praise for goalscorer Ngoo who impressed on his Jambos debut after arriving on loan from Liverpool.

He said: “Michael looks the part and hopefully his loan spell is a success.

“He held the ball up, laid it off, won things in the air and scored a good goal as well.

“Not only does he run about but he’s a big lad and wins flick-ons too.

“We were putting balls into his chest and feet a lot. But he was holding it up and laying it off to our midfield runners. It was great and he has done fantastically well for his debut.

“Michael just came up yesterday and trained with us for the first time so it was an impressive display.”

The keeper also lavished praise on young guns Fraser Mullen, Callum Tapping, Jason Holt, Robinson and Jamie Walker.

But he warned they’ve now set a high standard for themselves.

He said: “The young boys were brilliant. They have set a standard now and it’s up to them to maintain that and keep their spot in the team.

“There are plenty of other good young boys coming through so it’s up to them now to make sure they keep a hold of the jersey.”

Taken from the Daily Record