The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Linn confident Hearts can be humbled by Lichties at Gayfield
Bobby Linn has warned high-flying Hearts they’re about to be brought back down to earth at Gayfield.
Dick Campbell’ s Lichties outfit welcome Robbie Neilson’s title favourites to Gayfield for Friday ’s televised clash after the Tynecastle men opened their Championship campaign with a blistering 6 -2 thrashing of Dundee.
And former Dark Blues star Linn, who’s still reeling from Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Raith Rovers, insists the part- time Lichties are ready to humble Hearts in Angus.
Linn said: “Hearts were very impressive against Dundee. They showed why they’re favourites for the title.
“But we’ ll be up for Friday night. We’ll be in their faces and are confident we can give them a game.
“We’re always hard to beat at Gayfield. That’s what we were all about last season.
“The gaffer will be demanding a reaction from last Saturday. It’s our job to make life as difficult for Hearts as possible.”
Lichties defender Colin Hamilton is expected to be available after missing the last two games with a knock.
Meanwhile, Scotland striker Steven Naismith, who was left on the bench against Dundee as he nurses a hamstring problem, is wary of the Lichties.
He told BBC Scotland: “Arbroath are a team who last season caused a lot of problems in the division and probably surprised a lot of teams.
“I’ve played in a few friendlies up there, so we do know what we’re going to.
“Arbroath as a team are quite strong at home , they fee l comfortable playing there and they understand the surroundings.
“So, it will be a tough game.”
Naismith also insists the Jambos should not expect to have things all their own way in the league, despite getting off to a flier against James McPake’s men.
It was the perfect start for former Dundee United boss Neilson and his side – but Naismith is adamant the Gorgie outfit will not get carried away.
The former Rangers, Kilmarnock and Everton attacker said: “The goals we scored and a lot of the football we played was very good.
“We’ ve had good time to work on it. The manager’s been very good since he came in at giving the boys the information about what he wants us to play like.
“But we understand there’s going to be a lot of games where teams might try to hit us on the break and stuff like that.
“The first game wasn’t going to be one of those nights, Dundee fancied themselves to be challenging, but it was a great night’s work.
“On paper, you look at the size of ( Dundee) and they ’ re naturally going to be one of the ones up there.
“But you’ ve got Inverness, Dunfermline have started very well as well, so there’s a number of teams who are going to be challenging, I think. Ayr United are a very good team.”