Craig Levein says Neil Lennon '˜made a career out of kicking people'

Hearts manager Craig Levein addresses the media. Picture: Ross Parker/SNS

Levein also said he would not go “running to his mummy” over every infringement after pointing out that Hibs striker Anthony Stokes elbowed  Connor Randall at the start of the towsy affair.

Easter Road head coach Lennon made the remarks on the club’s own television channel in the wake of a Tynecastle stalemate that was overshadowed by a controversial ‘goal’ by Hibs striker Oli Shaw that was not given, despite narrowly crossing the line.

Hearts committed 15 fouls in the game compared to Hibs’ 12, but Lennon took exception to what he perceived as his city rival’s combative approach, saying: “We outplayed them and they kicked us off the park.

“That’s not tackling. It’s booting people, pushing people, just going into the back of them or going in late.”

But Levein insists being overly physical in matches was Lennon’s trademark during a trophy-laden career with Celtic.

Levein, whose injury-hit side take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie today, said: “Lenny forgets I watched him play. He made a career out of it. I’ve got to laugh. He made a career out of kicking people.

“Lenny is making a point, but I remember in the first five minutes [Anthony] Stokes elbowing one of our players in the face. I’m not going to go running to my mummy and say, ‘the big boy hit me and  ran away’. There is no point in that.

“We can go through the game and talk about every situation, it was a proper derby match and I’m not sure the ball was required, to be honest with you.”

Amid what is now a nine-game winless run against their bitter city rivals, Hearts had been accused of being bullied and too passive in this fixture, and Levein was adamant that his players would not lose the physical battle.

He added: “That’s the thing in the last two or three years that we have maybe been accused of not doing.

“It’s just not acceptable, we can’t get steamrollered by Hibs – the supporters just won’t have it.”