HOME IS WHERE THE HEARTS IS
HEARTS hitman Uche Ikpeazu has revealed he’s ready to extend his stay at Tynecastle beyond 2020 because he’s finally found a football home in Edinburgh.
The striker penned a two-year deal last summer and now Jambos boss Craig Levein has opened up talks on a longer contract.
Ikpeazu admits he’s fallen in love with the capital club and rates Levein highly because the former Scotland boss is always open and honest with him.
The former Watford star said: “I feel at home here.
“I love the city, I love the fans, I love my team-mates.
“I’m really enjoying my time here and I genuinely believe the best is yet to come.
“Hearts are the right club for my development, I’ve still got a lot to learn and the manager’s been brilliant. He’s been really patient and very honest with me as well – the other week when I wasn’t at the races he told me.
“It’s important the manager tells you the truth and I went home and was like, ‘I need to perform, I need to do better’.
“The fans have been very patient with me in games when I haven’t scored or I BY ANTHONY HAGGERTY haven’t performed. In terms of a contract hopefully we get something sorted out soon.”
Earlier this week Levein admitted Ikpeazu was being punished by officials for being much stronger than opponents – and after watching back matches on TV the 24-year-old agrees
But the Englishman refuses to let his frustrations get the better of him on the park.
He insists there is much more style and finesse to his game and he is not a simple targetman.
Ikpeazu said: “As the season goes on, people are trying to fight me and being aggressive so I’m used to it.
“I just kind of get on with it, I don’t really complain. If I get frustrated and distracted it will affect my game.
“It’s frustrating sometimes because when I watch our games back I think, ‘Wow, I am being fouled!’
“At the time I’m thinking about staying on my feet, even if it’s just to win a throw in or something to get the team up the pitch, that’s enough.
“I played in England’s League Two with Cambridge United last season and in some aspects it’s similar and very, very physical.
“I’m used to playing against guys even bigger than me so I’m used to being pushed about or at least people trying to push me about.
“Opponents think there’s a big guy, let me show how strong I am – they can try!
“When you’re big, people are going to target you but I know what I can do. My strength IS my strength and I have to use that but I have other aspects to my game.
“You have to work hard for the team especially the way I play, most of the time I am up top myself.
“You’ve got to be strong, you have got to win free-kicks.
“You have to do those bits or how will the team succeed if your focal point is not playing well or putting in a shift?”
When asked if he had ever come off second best in a physical contest, Ikpeazu said: “Nah, that’s not possible.”
Although one thing that does irk Ikpeazu is the fact he hasn’t scored since his return to the side from a foot injury which ruled him out for four months.
The attacker was desperate to take the spot-kick during Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Celtic which Oliver Bozanic netted.
Ikpeazu said: “I did want the penalty as I just wanted to get my first goal after
coming back from injury but the most important thing was we got back in the game. “The goals will come, I’m sure – I’ve scored throughout my career and will continue to do so. I’ve just got to be patient, I’m doing my bit and my time will come. “I know my role is to help the team so if I score or assist it’s just as good.” Ikpeazu has also set sights on steering Hearts to the Scottish Cup semi-final by defeating Partick Thistle at Firhill on Monday night. He said: “Another semi-final would be massive for the club. We had a dip in form but we’ve had some good results this season and the club is moving in the right direction. “Everyone just needs to stick together and trust the process. If we keep playing like we did against Celtic, consistently, then we’ll beat teams comfortably.”