LEVEIN REVEALS THAT SHAME DROVE HIS MEN TO VICTORY

CRAIG LEVEIN admits embarrassment was the spur for Hearts as they surged into the last eight of the Betfred Cup. Sean Clare missed a penalty for the Tynecastle side before tonsillitis victim Michael Smith scored a stunning strike. Another spot-kick awarded by referee Bobby Madden teed up a first Hearts goal for Northern Ireland striker Conor Washington as the first half ended in a deluge. Referencing his side’s lacklustre display in a 0-0 draw with Ross County last weekend, Levein said: ‘I just can’t explain what happened last week. But it did give us an opportunity to talk about what is expected at Hearts and the performance

that’s required. The players were slightly embarrassed about their performance — and so was I about my own performance. ‘The good thing was the determination shown in training all week and I had a good feeling going into this match. Not that we would definitely win, but that we would put on a really good show. I felt Motherwell caused us very few problems.’ The loss of winger Jamie Walker to an ankle injury was the only downside for the Tynecastle boss, after both John Souttar and Steven Naismith limped out of the previous two games. ‘He has damaged his ankle — there is

contact and there’s a twist,’ said Levein. ‘We need to wait until tomorrow. ‘He was really good at the start of the game and that’s the frustrating thing. ‘I see him gradually coming back to what I know he can do and he looked really incisive. His general play was excellent and him being injured makes me frustrated. ‘Souttar and Naisy might be available for next week. If not, they will definitely be available for the week after.’ Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson admitted his side got what they deserved as they were booed from the field after a third straight game without a win. A 60th-minute strike from substitute Chris Long threatened extra-time but the

Fir Park manager had no complaints over his team crashing out. ‘We didn’t deserve anything from the game,’ said Robinson. ‘We were too slow and too predictable. If Declan Gallagher with a 39-degree temperature is your best player, then you’ve got problems. ‘We didn’t have enough leaders and were too predictable. We didn’t do the basics well enough. We weren’t good enough on the ball. ‘Their centre-forward Conor Washington was the difference. It would be nice to be able to afford someone like that. ‘If you look at what Hearts spend, they have a good side, far better than some people have said recently.’