Evening Telegraph (First Edition)

Boyhood Hearts desperate to win

- BY NEIL ROBERTSON

JASON Cummings is hoping the absence of Hearts fans – including those in his own family – will work to Dundee’s advantage at Tynecastle on Saturday.

The 25-year-old may have made his name firing in goals for Hibs but he grew up supporting the Jam Tarts.

Cummings even used to sneak on to the pitch at Tynecastle to play when he was a kid at school, but he is determined to win at the home of his boyhood heroes with the Dark Blues this weekend.

The striker, snapped up by Dens boss James McPake from Shrewsbury Town at the end of the last transfer window, said: “Obviously before I signed for Dundee, I looked for the Hearts fixture.

“It is always a tasty one for me. So I will be buzzing.

“My whole family will be looking forward to it – they are all Hearts fans as well.

“I love playing at Tynecastle, I used to play there when I was a wee boy.

“I went to Tynecastle High School and we used to sneak on there so it is like my home ground. I’m used to it. I look forward to playing there.

“It will be different without fans though. Normally Tynecastle is one of the best stadiums in Scotland for atmosphere.

“That will probably be a positive for us. We will take it as a normal game to be fair and we go there to win.

“We know it will be a tough one, with where they are in the league – they are the best team in the league from the evidence of the league table.

“But we are going down there to get the three points.”

Hearts are 12 points clear at the top of the Championsh­ip table but have drawn their last three games.

However, Cummings insists the Jam Tarts’ recent run does not give Dundee any extra cause for confidence.

The former Rangers forward said: “No, not really. As I say, they are still the best team in the league so we just need to focus on ourselves.

“It doesn’t really matter about them.

“We just need to worry about ourselves. We need to go there with the right attitude and we can get a result.”

Cummings last scored at Tynecastle five years ago playing for Hibs in a Scottish Cup tie.

The front man is now looking to pick up from where he left off on

 ??  ?? Jokers wild: Cummings’ unique goal celebratio­n.
Jason Cummings scored Dundee’s crucial second goal in their victory
Jokers wild: Cummings’ unique goal celebratio­n. Jason Cummings scored Dundee’s crucial second goal in their victory

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