Craig will kick some backsides ahead of the kick-off today
Footballers expect a “boot up the backside” after losing games.
But Craig Levein’s Hearts stars will get one before a ball is kicked at Celtic Park today. The Jam Tarts came in for heavy criticism from their own fans after scraping a draw with Ross County in their first home game of the season. They bounced back with a confidence- boosting Betfred Cup win over Motherwell after being reminded what was at stake.
Now Levein is ready to leave them in no doubt as to his expectations before every game, starting today against the champions.
“I hope the Motherwell game gave us what we needed,” said the Tynecastle boss.
“The Ross County game was unusual in that sometimes you just don’t know what the hell happened, why that performance arrived at that particular time.
“I looked at the team and thought: ‘ That’s a pretty strong side’. But maybe I didn’t deal with the aspect of giving them a boot up the backside before the game, just because we had a good team out, if that makes sense?
“It’s something normally I would consider, but I didn’t do it, and that doesn’t sit well with me.
“The good things about the Ross County game are one – we didn’t lose. And two – it becomes a fantastic reference point for the rest of the season.
“I certainly know how I felt after it, and I’m fairly sure I know how the players felt.
“If I hadn’t got a reaction for the Motherwell game, I’d have been extremely disappointed.” Both Hearts and their opponents today are equally blessed and cursed by extraordinarily- demanding fan bases. Whatever happens at Parkhead, at least one set of supporters will be left unhappy.
But Levein, who expects Neil Lennon’s fingerprints to be visible on this season’s Hoops, reckons there will be no need for panic at either end.
He explained: “Neil’s Celtic are slightly different from Brendan Rodgers’. I think also Neil’s in the middle of a change.
“Brendan had a very specific way of playing, and Neil’s style isn’t exactly the same as that.
“They’re still attacking, but probably slightly more aggressive – the ball goes forward a bit quicker.
“But they’re both very good managers.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a manager scoring seven in his first game, five in his second, and people are criticising him.
“He did well last season, to our detriment, in the Cup Final.
“But for me, this game is what it always is – an extremely difficult tie at Celtic Park, in front of a huge crowd.
“So we’ve got some work to do to come back with something.”