Levein doesn’t expect repeat of Livi shocker
Craig Levein insists Hearts are in the Scottish Cup to win it.
The Jam Tarts face high-flying Livingston at Tynecastle today with a place in this afternoon’s fifth round draw up for grabs.
Levein’s side found themselves on the wrong side of a 5-0 humbling last time they faced Livi.
But the Hearts boss insists his side are stronger now – and out for revenge. “I don’t see any reason why you would go into the Cup with any other outlook than wanting to win it,” said Levein.
“We have a tough start with Livi, who have been flying.
“But we’re at home. We are getting a few back from injury and we have brought a few bodies in, which makes us strong.”
Strength – or a lack of it – was a key factor in Hearts’ humiliating defeat at Livingston in December.
Their collapse was both mental and physical.
But the return to training of John Souttar and the addition to the squad of Czech striker David Vanecek this month have made the Jam Tarts confident.
“We have a lot of good, senior players in the team,” said Levein.
“And for a lot of them to have been on the field when that happened (the collapse against Livingston), it tells me it was a very unusual set of circumstances. “The sequence of events went from goal to sending off to goal, within no time at all and then we lost another goal very quickly.
“I remember a few times in the past when that kind of thing has happened.
“But the good thing about football is you always get an opportunity to make up for it.”
Many of the headlines surrounding Hearts this month have concerned Vanecek. The hit man is likely to start today, despite not being 100% fit. But another key man of late has been goalkeeper Colin Doyle.
After playing second fiddle to Bobby Zlamal in the early part of the season, the Irishman was given his chance last month.
He has grabbed it – and Levein reckons the whole team has gained in confidence. “Colin waited patiently and he was very influential in us winning our last match against Hibs.
“So the team will gain confidence from that.”