Smith: We partied at Easter Rd to pay back Hibs for Tynie knees-up

MICHAEL SMITH admits Hearts turned up the noise on Hibs after Tuesday’s derby triumph as payback for their rivals’ Boxing Day celebrations at Tynecastle.

The Jambos wiped the floor with their capital neighbours in their own back yard thanks to goals from Sean Clare, Oliver Bozanic and Conor Washington in a 3-1 win. And they enjoyed the moment with a large and raucous away support.

Smith, who’s becoming something of an Edinburgh derby veteran, claimed that was a moment unlike anything he’d seen so far during his time in maroon. And the Irish ace revealed he and his team-mates made sure Hibs could still hear them when they got back to the away dressing room.

He said: “The fans can be a bit edgy when you’re down the bottom of the league but fair play to them against Hibs because they were great.

UCHE IKPEAZU has been handed a shock international call-up by Uganda for their upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Hearts striker has been named in the Cranes’ squad for their qualifying double-header.

The 25-year was born in Harrow but is eligible via his Ugandan mother.

“I’m sure it was a really good night and we celebrated with them like I’ve never seen before. So that was great.

“Experiences like that stick with you and we want to feel that again. “With the whole situation we’re in it was a massive three points

BY ROSS PILCHER and the way we dominated the game against our city rivals away from home was massive. It was a great night to be involved in.

“The dressing room was pumping afterwards. When they came to Tynecastle and beat us their dressing room was pumping and we were down so we gave them a bit back.

“I don’t know what music was playing, I was just dancing about. Conor is on the tunes and sometimes they’re a bit ropey but it was decent.”

Hearts’ improved defensive discipline has caught the eye during their last two matches with Daniel Stendel’s unusual methods – using ropes and goggles to drill his side in training – paying off big time.

Smith said: “It definitely helps. Maybe it’s not the training that helps but the camaraderie and things like that. The last couple of games have shown maybe that does work.”

If it continues working at home to Motherwell tomorrow and away to St Mirren in midweek, Hearts will have taken a big step towards survival.

And it looks like they’ll need one after Hamilton recorded a shock 1-0 victory at Ibrox on Wednesday to send the Jambos bottom again.

Smith said:“It wasn’t great. I hoped Rangers would do us a turn but fair play to Hamilton. We’ve shown we’re also up for a fight.”