Sergio praises Hearts duo

HEARTS manager Paulo Sergio has praised Suso Santana and Darren Barr for their contribution to Sunday’s derby victory over Hibs at Tynecastle during a season of personal frustration for the pair.

Barr stepped in for suspended captain Marius Zaliukas and helped Hearts withstand second-half pressure, while substitute Suso wrapped up a 2-0 victory in injury time. Barr has struggled since arriving from Falkirk and Sunday’s Tynecastle triumph was only his seventh SPL start since 2010, while Santana has yet to start a game all season after being dogged by injury.

Sergio told Hearts TV: “Suso has a great hunger to play. He deserves his moment and I’m very proud of him. Barr is a great professional. He never complains, he is always there to do the job. For me these players are sometimes more important than ones who play every game and are never happy.”