Levein: I hope my words make Hibs more uptight
HEARTS manager Craig Levein admits he is deliberately trying to wind up Hibs in the hope that their fierce Edinburgh rivals erupt like a volcano in tonight’s powder-keg clash.
Levein has refused to back down from his “natural order” taunt in the wake of his team’s Scottish Cup victory over Neil Lennon’s side in January when Hearts picked up their first win in 10 in the fiery fixture.
That remark did not go down well with volatile former Celtic boss Lennon, who called it a “crook of c***”.
“If there are some words exchanged that maybe push some people a bit closer to the edge then that is part of it as well.
“It’s who can control that the best. So I hope they are really uptight about it. That’s the way it goes. When Neil says he doesn’t know what it means, I am just trying to explain to him. For me, in this fixture, it is normal that we come out on top.
“Listen, it is just one big game. Isn’t it? It’s fun. It hurts when you go down to Easter Road and they win 1-0 and they are doing a lap of honour and people are tweeting stuff.
“It hurts but the only real way to fix it is to do it on the park.
“This game stands out on the calendar. I don’t think there will be any other fixture that the supporters will look at and say, ‘When are we playing Celtic away?’ or ‘When are we playing St Johnstone at home?’
“People look for the fixture and plan things round it because they want to be there. I like it. It’s a good feeling. The excitement leading up to it, the pressure. It’s exciting.”
Levein, however, has taken exception to Lennon’s suggestion that the Old Firm clash between Celtic and Rangers is more intense than the Edinburgh equivalent.
“It’s just more people. That’s all it is,” Levein said. “This is the same. This derby match means the same.”