SLAGS & BANNERS

Levein in class war jibe at Hibees

Hearts boss Craig Levein went on the wind-up again last night as he taunted Hibs over their derby defeat.

The Jambos won their first match at Easter Road in almost five years courtesy of a superb firsthalf strike from Olly Lee.

Hibs fans unveiled a banner in the Famous Five

Stand before the match, quoting club legend Eddie Turnbull, that read: “There’s class, there’s first class and then there’s Hibs class.” Levein ( left) couldn’t resist a derby dig as they handed their arch- rivals only their second defeat at home in 2018. He said: “I’m thrilled to bits for the boys because they took things to a new level.

“There’s class, there’s first class, there’s Hibs class and the one above that? There’s Hearts class. It’s

brilliant. I’m so pleased about that.

“It was a normal derby with everything in the melting pot but the football was a little bit better than the previous encounter at Tynecastle.

“It was keenly contested and there wasn’t a lot in it.

“We had to stand strong towards the end but it was a fantastic strike from Olly.”

Hearts hadn’t won in Leith since April 2014 when a Callum Paterson double gave them a 2-1 victory. The win hauled them to within six points of the Old Firm at the top of the Premiership.

Hearts have suffered a wretched run of injuries and went into the game after just two wins in their previous 11 fixtures – but Levein hailed the bravery of his players.

He said: “I don’t think it’s any coincidence Steven Naismith is back and that affects other people’s performances.

“The way he cajoles, barks and leads by example puts pressure on defenders.

“Peter Haring has been filling himself with painkillers because he has a hernia and needs an operation.

“Clevid Dikamona was toiling but was good, Mick Smith too and Sean Clare had his best game for us.

“Christophe Berra came into his own and Colin Doyle saved us in the last 10 minutes.

“I could go through every player and praise them – but that’s just Hearts’ class, eh?”

Levein is now relishing the mid-season break as a chance to get his crocked stars back in the first-team frame.

He said: “We were toiling and lost a bit of confidence but it returned when we got Christophe and Naisy back.

“Once we get Uche Ikpeazu, David Vanecek, John Souttar and Jimmy Dunne back I will feel good about the second half of the season.”