CRAIG’SHEARTS IN RIGHT PLACE
Smith: Levein has made our club friendly and critics are eating words ROSS COUNTY v HEARTS
MICHAEL SMITH reckons Craig Levein has made Hearts’ early-season critics “eat their words” since he took over in August.
The 29-year-old full-back believes the Jambos under Levein are unrecognisable from the side that badly underachieved under Ian Cathro at the beginning of the campaign.
Eyebrows were raised when the former Scotland boss opted to return to the technical area.
However, Smith insists nobody is laughing now.
The Northern Irishman said: “Since Craig came in he has been brilliant. A few people were humming and hawing about the appointment but they’re eating their words now.
“The difference between Hearts then and Hearts now is we are a lot more stable.
“There is a lot more friendliness and happiness about the club. “We’re performing, the fans appreciate it and they’re turning out in their numbers to support us. Craig is good tactically and knows how he wants to beat teams. It’s coming to fruition now.
“We don’t just set up one way, we chop and change formations and players to see if we can actually win the game.”
Smith joked the players have been having a great laugh at how Levein has managed to wind up Hibs boss Neil Lennon, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Hoops skipper Scott Brown in recent weeks.
The defender is adamant Levein’s actions prove he has got the players’ backs.
Smith said: “Craig’s experienced enough and he’s trying to wind a few people up in the press at the minute.
“He’s one of the good guys and everyone appreciates it. He’s just having a bit of fun with it. If
after rupturing his cruciate in an Under–20s match against Aberdeen on Tuesday. take it out of context that’s their fault.
“He has got our backs, it’s his club and he wants us to do well.”
When asked if the Jambos players had poked fun at Levein’s expense for his recent outbursts Smith said: “Not as much!”
The Gorgie men sit in fifth place in the Premiership but Smith sees no reason why they can’t finish with a flourish by securing European football and going all the way in the Scottish Cup.
Hearts exited the Betfred Cup at the group stage after losing to Peterhead and Dunfermline on penalties. Now Smith is dreaming of a return to Europe.
He said: “It is a very different club now than the one I joined.
“We are on a great run at the minute. We are in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup and things are going well.
“I don’t see any reason why Hearts can’t win the Scottish Cup. This is a great dressing room to be around.
“It would be fantastic to bring European nights back to Tynecastle.”
Smith returned to the first-team fold during last weekend’s 3-0 Scottish Cup fifthpeople round victory over St Johnstone. He hopes to have done enough to retain his place today for the visit of Ross County.
Smith said: “I have been on the bench the last few weeks because Connor Randall has been fantastic.
“If I come in and do well he will be happy for me and that is the sort of team spirit we have here at this club.
“It is nice to be back playing and I just want to keep my place.
“The Ross County match will be one of the hardest games we have had recently.” DARIO ZANATTA admits he didn’t know whether he was coming or going last month when Hearts recalled him from his Raith loan.
But the Canadian is determined to now ensure the Stark’s Park men are heading back to the Championship after stretching eight points clear of Ayr at the top of the table.
Zanatta joined the Kirkcaldy club on a seasonlong loan back in August but was surprisingly recalled by the Jambos during the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old then made a late sub appearance for the Tynecastle outfit and got his first goal for the club in the 3-0 win over Hamilton.
It might have been enough for the winger to stay in Gorgie but Craig Levein decided to send him back out on loan to Raith.
Speaking ahead of today’s trip to Albion Rovers he said: “It was a bit strange how it all played out. But I went back to Hearts and scored a goal so I can’t complain.
“But now I’m just focused on getting Raith back into the Championship.
“Hearts want me to be playing week-in, week-out and they felt it best to go back out on loan.”
TEAMSHEET
AIRDRIE add Daniel Higgins but miss Ryan Conroy against Queen’s Park.
The Spiders welcome Gregor Fotheringham back from a ban.
Albion Rovers have Jason Marr, Gary Fisher and Graeme Holmes available again as they take on leaders Raith.
Kevin McHattie and Yaw Osei are injured for Rovers.
Third place is up for grabs when Arbroath host Alloa with the Gayfield men missing the injured Steven Doris and Ryan McCord.
Andy Geggan and Paddy Boyle are available after knocks for Ayr when they face East Fife who are without Kyle Wilkie and Mark Docherty. Forfar have Michael Travis and Andy Munro banned for the visit of Stranraer.