Hearts deliver performance which restored good deal of confidence ahead of Capital derby

Published Date: 26 August 2011
PRIDE comes before a fall, according to popular conception. Although for Hearts, the fall came before pride in this Europa League play-off.
Tottenham Hotspur's first-leg rout in Edinburgh left Paulo Sergio and his players virtually on their knees, but a vibrant performance brought rejuvenation at White Hart Lane last night - in perfect time for Sunday's meeting with Hibs.

Jamie MacDonald saved a first-half penalty, Gordon Smith struck the crossbar and Ryan McGowan and Scott Robinson were simply imperious throughout the evening. This wasn't a dead rubber or a meaningless trip. In fact, it could turn out to be a pivotal night in the education of several young Hearts players who appeared to come of age at once.

Tottenham named a weakened team with their place in the Europa League group phase secure thanks to a 5-0 first-leg victory. Premier League luminaries like Gareth Bale, Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon weren't required for this assignment. Hearts did likewise and promoted several of their own youth products, and there was little doubt that their kids eclipsed Tottenham's. Robinson was particularly commanding in central midfield. Don't underestimate this boy because of his short stature, his heart is gargantuan and he has talent to back it up. He frequently beasted into tackles with giants like Tom Huddlestone and emerged with the ball. Then he would stroke cultured passes around the White Hart Lane surface as if it was Saughton Park with his pals. It might well have been, for the 19-year-old wasn't intimidated in the slightest. He surely must start against Hibs.

MacDonald was just as big a hero, although he had to momentarily endure the role of villain first. The goalkeeper brought Tottenham's Harry Kane crashing to the turf on 29 minutes to concede a penalty but redeemed himself with a breathtaking save low to his right when the young forward tried to convert from the spot.

Sergio doesn't like singling anyone out. Instead, he derived his satisfaction from the collective team effort and gradual improvement. "I can say that they showed pride," said the Portuguese of his players. "We were better in the second half of the first leg, we improved at the weekend against Kilmarnock and we did a good job here. I think we should have scored because we had very good spaces to do it. We created some good chances and we defended very well. We were working all the time together and I'm happy with that.

"We had to take those risks by playing young players to do something different and improve the team.

Taken from the Scotsman