Elliott: I knew Hearts would score equaliser

Published on Friday 1 April 2011 11:37

STEPHEN ELLIOTT said he always knew Hearts would force an equaliser at Easter Road yesterday despite falling 2-1 behind with only ten minutes remaining in the Edinburgh derby against Hibernian.

Such is the belief coursing through the Tynecastle squad, the Irishman was not unduly concerned when Ricardo Vaz Te stroked home Hibernian's second goal in the 80th minute following Ryan Stevenson's opener and Liam Miller's penalty in the first half.

Elliott volleyed home on 84 minutes to secure a 2-2 draw for ten-man Hearts, who had captain Marius Zaliukas dismissed in the first half. It was the striker's second derby goal this season and one he felt was always likely to arrive.

"You always feel that you're going to get another chance somewhere along the line. Luckily enough we got it pretty soon after they scored," he said. "I should have scored in the first half but it was great to get the equaliser. I think I should have had a penalty in the first half too. I got a touch on the ball and he (Paul Hanlon] flicked my foot and I've gone down. I saw it again on the screen and it looked like a penalty but it wasn't given, so you just have to get on with it.

"Everybody, when you go down to ten men, knows you have to work that extra bit harder to close down players. They were always going to have an extra man spare but we dug our heels in really well and came away with a great point. With this being a local derby, it was very important for confidence not to lose the game. Given how the game went, getting a point was a good result.

"We've shown great character a few times this season when things have been against us. We always believe we can get something out of games. We kept going right to the death yesterday and got our just rewards."

Both Hearts and Hibernian could face sanctions from the Scottish Football Association following fan disorder yesterday. Home supporters in the East Stand were seen launching missiles at Ismael Bouzid moments after Hearts' first goal, whilst a handful of visiting fans invaded the pitch following Elliott's late equaliser.

"You're always going to get something like that in derby games but the football was the main thing yesterday," said Elliott when asked about the objects being thrown at Bouzid.

Meanwhile, Hearts striker Kevin Kyle does not expect to play again this season due to persistent pain from his hip. He recently underwent a double hernia operation and took an injection last week hoping to face Hibernian, but admitted today that he is far from injury-free.

"The physio might disagree, but to me I can't see much more action for myself between now and the end of the season," said Kyle. "I can get through a lot of pains, but this one I can't.

"I was quite hopeful that would be it, but now the injection is wearing off, the pain's coming back. So it looks like the problem lies within my hip joint and obviously I have had a hip problem years ago and I'll try another injection to see if that can completely cure it.

"But, if that doesn't, it will probably look like a bit of surgery, but we'll find that out in the next week or two and take it from there. It's not good news or news I wanted to hear, but these things happen as a footballer."