Levein hits out at Hibs rival Lennon

CRAIG LEVEIN has hit back at Neil Lennon’s scathing criticism of Hearts’ physical approach by claiming the former Celtic captain made a career out of kicking opponents. Frustrated after a midweek goalless draw at Tynecastle, Hibs boss Lennon insisted the Gorgie side had ‘kicked us off the park’ in October’s

game at Easter Road and ‘were trying to do the same thing again’ on Wednesday night. ‘Lenny forgets I watched him play,’ said Levein. ‘I’ve got to laugh. He made a career out of kicking people. I mean, it’s a derby match. And that (being physical) is the thing in the last two or three years that we have maybe been accused of not doing. ‘It’s just not been acceptable. We can’t get steamrollered by Hibs. The Hearts supporters just won’t have it. ‘Lenny is making a point, but I remember in the first five minutes (Anthony) Stokes elbowing one of our players in the face. ‘But I’m not going to go running to my mummy and say: “The big boy hit me and ran away”. There is no point in that. ‘If you want, we can go through the game and talk about every situation. ‘It was just a proper derby match.’ Meanwhile, Jamie Walker’s potential move to Wigan — with Latics midfielder Jack Byrne possibly heading the other way— could be up in the air after the Hearts winger injured his knee against Hibs. Levein said: ‘Jamie Walker is away for a scan. We’ll wait and see how he is but I would think he’s out of the Aberdeen game. ‘There’s been some interest from Wigan but I honestly couldn’t tell you if Jack (Byrne) would be part of that deal.’