‘Levein is just playing to Hearts’ strengths’

Webster feels his old side were unfortunate.

He said: “Hearts started well on Saturday. They looked a threat going forward and from set-plays. They then scored a very good goal.

“Hibs’ equaliser was against the run of play and took the wind out of Hearts’ sails for a period of time.

“Hibs’ second goal was real quality and sometimes you need to hold your hands up.

“The question then was how Hearts could get themselves back into the game and that didn’t really happen.

“Any Hearts team is expected to win a derby at Tynecastle. If you don’t get it, you need to put up with the disappointment that comes with it.

“But there is still an opportunity there for Hearts to get to a cup final and extend the season.

“Nobody wants to watch a cup final on holiday in Spain. These opportunities don’t come around that often.

“So, when they do, you need to grasp them, give everything you have.”

Pundits and punters alike have had their say on Hearts’ style but Webster reckons Levein is simply playing to his strengths.

He said: “Everybody has an idealistic approach to playing football, a certain style of play.

“But you also have to utilise the tools that you’ve got. Uche Ikpeazu has a physicality about him that will cause any player problems.

“I played with Mark de Vries at Hearts the first time around and he was in the same mould.

“Whether you call that one-dimensional or playing to your strengths, you can dress it up any way you want.

“If it’s effective and it gets your team to win, are you really that fussed?

“We’d all like to get the ball down and play like Manchester City or Liverpool, but sometimes circumstances don’t dictate that way.” l Andy Webster was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is a proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.