I’m ashamed to walk the streets of Edinburgh
Jambos skipper says awful start to season means he can’t face being out in capital
CHRISTOPHE BERRA admits Hearts’ atrocious start to the season makes him feel ashamed.
The Tynecastle skipper has endured a horrendous opening to his second spell at the club after a disastrous group-stage exit from the Betfred Cup.
Berra, his team-mates and manager Ian Cathro have been hounded by raging Hearts fans in the wake of
what was a major setback for the Tynecastle club.
The Scotland star takes poor performances badly and confessed that the dismal displays have left him red-faced in the capital.
He said: “I live in Edinburgh, I have to walk around the streets. My friends might have banter but at the end of the day I am captain of the club. I just have to blank it out.
“I don’t want to get beaten. I don’t like walking about the town, you feel ashamed. That’s how personally I take it.
“But when you don’t win games you have to take flak. That’s the way it is. Everyone has an opinion and it’s good to hear them, my way is not always the right way.
“I live in the town, my mum and dad read papers. I played for Hearts for years before and it was never plain sailing but if you live in a city and play for a big club, you’ll get criticised.”
While the players have been hammered for the early performances, gaffer Cathro has copped the most abuse.
Fans had doubts about the 31-year-old’s abilities during a poor end to last season and the start of this campaign has darkened their mood.
Berra says Cathro has to take it and said: “It’s football. It’s a cut-throat business. If we don’t produce the goods the management and players will get stick – and it’s deserved.
“Everyone saw the reaction of the fans after the game and they were not happy.
“Some of it followed on from last season, if you don’t win games the fans are going to show their frustration.
“I understand it. We were the biggest team on paper in the group and should have had maximum points.
“At the moment, we are not getting results against teams we should be blowing away.
“Tynecastle should be a place where visiting teams are on the back foot and we should be doing better.
“We could have won the Dunfermline game in the end, got through in the competition and there might have been a different outlook on things.
“But let’s be honest, it’s the story of the week. On paper, we have a good squad but football is not played on paper.”
Meanwhile, Berra has urged Jamie Walker to battle his way back into the Hearts team.
The winger was dropped controversially at the weekend by Cathro but the skipper said: “Jamie’s a talented player, there’s no doubt about that.
“All he can do is train well, show a good attitude and then it’s in the manager’s hands.”