Win is the best medicine after Levein’s scare
Hearts gave convalescing Craig Levein the perfect tonic yesterday by extending their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to five points.
The Edinburgh club’s manager missed the Tynecastle visit of St Mirren as he was at home continuing his recovery after a heart scare last weekend.
That meant a promotion for assistant Austin Macphee who was a happy man after overseeing a 4- 1 victory in his absence.
“I felt relaxed about the role,” said Macphee.
“I have had regular communications with Craig and had breakfast with him this morning.
“We talked about different eventualities. He picked the team but then myself and the rest of the staff made the decisions within the game and that was always going to be the case.”
Macphee added: “The infrastructure that the manager put in place when he was director of football stood up this week.
“Young players and staff with experience of doing different things.
“Because of that we weren’t a deer in the headlights when we had to drive the bus for a short period of time.
“I don’t think Craig actually watched the game.
“I will speak to him later but I am just delighted that we have managed to get the win.
“The players did especially well in the first 15 minutes which allowed the supporters to then help the team.
“We got ahead and then at the equaliser I was delighted with their reaction to losing the goal.
“When it went to 1- 1 you maybe look to the dugout and think ‘where is Craig’ but the players, and particular the experienced ones, showed a wonderful attitude to take the team forward.
“Hopefully, because we have won he can now feel relaxed about his recovery.
“It has happened at a good time, as much as these things can ever come at a good time, because we have the international break.
“We don’t want him to rush back and I am sure that he will be in the dugout for the Motherwell game.”
The get well soon message was echoed by Steven Naismith, whose first half hat-trick secured the victory.
“That was an easy team talk today. Because for everyone involved today from players to staff, it was the manager who has backed us and put us here,” he said.
“So that was the least we could do for him today. I’m glad it went so well for him.
“He’s now got a bit of time to recover.”