Marvin Johnson to block out shouts at '˜horrible' Tynecastle

Marvin Johnson says playing at Tynecastle is more intimidating that any non-league venue in England but insists Motherwell can make today a day to remember for boss Mark McGhee

Marvin Johnson: Heckling. Picture: SNS

The former Kidderminster Harriers midfielder was used heckling in the Conference, but says it’s full-on in Gorgie with the fans so close to the action.But he believes he can block out the abuse and help Motherwell climb further up the table on McGhee’s 900th game as a manager.

He said: “It’s a horrible place. Teams just go there and you’ve got to grind out the result, whether it’s a point or three.

“You hear everything especially on the one side because it’s close to the touchline but you’ve got to block that out and try to concentrate on the game.

“You hear the typical abuse that fans come out with. You can just imagine what they’re saying, trying to affect players.

“Whether they mean it or not is a different story but you’ve just got to block it all out.

“From where I’ve played it would be one of the closest. In non-league you’d maybe have a few barriers and a couple of steps away before the fans were there. But you’d still hear what they were saying because they were saying it at the top of their voices.

“It was interesting going there before. The fans weren’t the best but you get on with it.”

Motherwell have been on a great run since drawing 2-2 with the Jambos back in November, winning all three matches in December – including a 2-1 victory at Parkhead – and then drawing the Lanarkshire derby.

Johnson added: “Recent results have proved that we are more than good enough for top six.”