Craig Levein urges Hearts players and supporters to return Tynecastle to its past fortress glories

CRAIG LEVEIN last night urged Hearts players and fans to turn Tynecastle into a fortress again – starting today against Celtic.

Levein’s Jam Tarts stumbled back into their re-opened home with three disappointing draws before back-to-back wins over Motherwell and Dundee lifted spirits and voices.

Now Hearts’ gaffer is calling on the Gorgie punters to raise the roof for the visit of Brendan Rodgers’ ‘Invincibles’ – and make today’s lunchtime’s clash hell for the Hoops.

“This is a place I have always associated with feeling good,” said Levein.

“As a player, I always felt good coming here, just walking through the door, I always felt that. Although anybody could come and take us on, we would always go toe-to-toe with them.

“For a wee while, we have not been like ourselves and there have been lots of different reasons for that.

“We need to get back to that point where everybody talks about Tynecastle as a brilliant stadium.

“They might not enjoy a lot of success here, but they say it’s a brilliant
stadium.

“Sunday could be the first big-game atmosphere here. The good thing that I am really looking forward to is the real effects of the new stand.”

Both Motherwell and Hibs have come close to derailing Celtic’s unbeaten domestic run in recent weeks.

But Levein is pragmatic enough to realise the Hoops will need to turn in another below-par performance if his side are to hope to go one better.

He said: “If Celtic play at their absolute best, they will win. But the fact is they won’t do that every week. It’s impossible.

“I would imagine Celtic have underperformed in those couple of matches and given other teams opportunities. I hope they underperform again on Sunday.

“They are just that much better than everybody else.

“The hardest thing in keeping it going week-in, week-out is that you can’t play your best for 60-odd games.

“It’s impossible. But even when the performances have dropped off they have been good enough to win.

“I put that down to the fact they have very good players and a good manager – and loadsa money!”

Levein could welcome Jamie Walker back into his side today after the attacker missed Tuesday night’s win over Dundee. Kyle Lafferty, too, is likely to feature from the start, along with Don Cowie, as the Hearts gaffer throws in the big guns.

Celtic beat Hearts 4-1 on the opening day, just after Ian Cathro’s sacking – a move that led Brendan Rodgers to sympathise with the deposed coach.

Levein isn’t the type to leave criticism unanswered, but he wouldn’t be pushed this time around.

“A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since the first game of the season. A helluva lot has changed,” he said.

“They have certainly gotten better, and we have had our ups and downs. A lot has happened on, and off, the field which hasn’t helped.

“I’m looking forward to it because on the back of two victories, and I would say half-a-dozen good performances, I feel we are capable of taking them on and seeing where we go from there.”