Effort pleases gaffer

Gary Locke today praised his players for the way they battled to a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie.

Ryan Stevenson gave the Jambos the lead in the second half, but an unfortunate Jamie Hamill own-goal meant that the season ended with a share of the spoils in the north-east.
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Speaking to the media after the match, Gary said: "It was a battling performance, which I was really pleased about. The effort and commitment was there from the players for all to see today. I'm delighted with that as I felt that was something that we were lacking last week.

"It's always difficult here. Jamie Macdonald's made two or three really great saves, which you expect him to do in places like this. We're delighted with a battling 1-1 draw away from home."

Though quizzed about matters off-field, Gary insisted that what happens on the park is all that he focuses on.

"It's been a difficult week but that's what we're paid to do; concentrate on the football side of things," he said. "You saw today the size of support we had up for the last game of the season and we're just pleased to get a result for them.

"All I concentrate on is the football side. That's the season finished now and it's been a long one for us. A lot of things have gone on and I'm just glad to see the back of it. Hopefully we can just build for next season now."

Hearts World