Stevenson's skipper pride

Hearts star Ryan Stevenson today revealed his pride and honour at being named captain for Saturday's victory over Ross County, and admitted it was something he never thought he would see happening.

After leaving Tynecastle to join Ipswich in January 2012, Stevo didn't think he would be back in Gorgie, let alone leading a young makeshift Jambos side to an electric victory in front of a live television audience.

Accompanied to the post-match press conference by his very excited one year old son Carter, a delighted Ryan sat down for an interesting and wide-ranging chat that took in reflections on the season so far, his hopes for the remainder of the season, and his desire to prove his worth to the Hearts support.

Focussing initially on the match against the Staggies, the former Chelsea trainee admitted he was as surprised as anyone at the explosive nature of Hearts' three-goals-in-five-minutes blitz of the County rearguard.

"I didn't see that coming!" he laughed. "We haven't won after being behind this season, so that was a good thing to get out the way. In all aspects, the season's been grim to look at. Our aim now is to finish 7th, so that was a big three points today."

"It's been a difficult season whichever way you look at it", he continued. "Even winning today, we're still down after the League Cup Final and the season as a whole. When you're in a losing mindset, it can be easy to let the heads drop when you go behind."

In a match that amassed 30 efforts on goal - according to statistics - the away side could be forgiven for thinking they should have had more than the two scores that German striker Steffen Wohlfarth notched, with keeper Jamie Macdonald delivering a man-of-the-match performance for a string of top class saves in the first half to keep the rampant Staggies at bay.

There was a sense of déjà vu for Ryan, as the latter stages of the match mirrored the scenario of the League Cup Final, with Hearts having battered down the door against St Mirren without getting the luck. Ross County, the skipper remarked, would know how Hearts felt after today's match.

"If you don't take your chances, it can come back to haunt you, like it did to us in the Cup Final. St Mirren took their chances then, we took ours today, it was a similar situation."

Looking ahead to the post-split fixtures, the fans of the club can now look forward to a fourth derby of the season as neighbours Hibs failed to make the top six. With the Leith side only three points ahead of Hearts, the ex-Ayr United standout confirmed that the prospect of overtaking the Hibees was something to relish.

"Our aim is to finish 7th first and foremost, although obviously the added spice is that we're only three points behind Hibs. It would give the fans a real lift if we could beat them. I keep hearing they've had a great season, but if it's only three points, there's not much in it at all is there?"

"Even still, it's a poor season for us. If we'd won the cup, you could put it to one side, but the bubble was burst with that defeat so now it's about playing for the fans and the new gaffer."

Having joined Hearts as a 25-year-old, making the step up to the Scottish Premier League was something that Ryan admitted he found hard at first, a situation that many of the current youngsters in the team may be facing during these transitional times.

Despite this, Ryan shot down any thoughts of feeling sorry for the young lads, adding that they were fearless and relished all challenges.

"It's been difficult for every one of the young lads," he said. "I found it difficult coming to Hearts from Ayr when I was 25. The standards and expectations at the club are massive. The young lads are being flung in at the deep end, and they'll hopefully take the experience they've had this year, and add some new players like the manager wants to, and we can move on.

"When I first came here, the biggest issue was the lack of goals. I wanted so badly to do well, but I was snatching at chances. It's such a big club and I just wanted to impress, so there's pressure on us to do well and we've lost a manager because of our performances this season. We just want to end the season on a positive note.

"The young lads have no fear, they just go in head first and move on after a defeat. It takes you a while to get into the groove. No-one feels sorry for themselves even though we know we should be doing better. If we can strengthen in the summer, we can build from here."

Finally, the skipper-for-the-day beamed with pride as he discussed being made captain in the absence of regular armband-holders Marius Zaliukas and Andy Webster. Despite leaving the club in what he described as "difficult circumstances", Ryan couldn't have been happier with how things have panned out since then, and reaffirmed his commitment to play for the badge on his shirt as long as he wore a maroon and white jersey.

"The situation that arose when I left wasn't great, and for me to be made captain is one of the greatest honours of my career, even if it's just the one time. I never thought I could come back and lead the team. Since I came back, I've tried to play for the jersey and prove myself to the fans. I've got a long contract and I love it here."

Hearts World