Hearts’ Determination to Confront Celtic in Final-Day Decider
Hearts are preparing for a high-stakes final-day showdown against Celtic, with the team showing a strong sense of determination. Alexandros Kyziridis, a key player for the Tynecastle outfit, has emphasized that the team is ready to face any challenge and will use the frustration from a controversial penalty decision as motivation.
During a recent match against Motherwell, Hearts were drawing 1-1 at Fir Park when Kyziridis went down in the area after appearing to have his left foot stood on by Tawanda Maswanhise. Despite being sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Greg Aitken, referee Steven McLean refused to award a spot-kick. This decision led to Hearts dropping two points, leaving them just one point clear of Celtic with two games remaining.
Kyziridis expressed his frustration over the referee’s call, stating that it was unusual for the referee not to review the situation. He said, “It’s weird because 99 per cent of the time, when they call the referee to see the situation, they review it. This time, he didn’t.” When asked if the referee might have felt that Kyziridis had exaggerated the fall, he replied, “I have no idea what he has in his mind. I felt a touch and fell down. You saw it. Everyone can see it except the referee.”
Preparing for the Final Matches
With Falkirk set to face Hearts at home on Wednesday night, and Celtic visiting Motherwell, Kyziridis is confident that the team is ready for the challenges ahead. He stated, “You think we’re not? One hundred per cent we are ready. For everything.” He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive mindset despite the loss at Motherwell, saying, “Everyone is disappointed with the result, but that is a good mentality because we have been going out there to win every game from day one. We are almost at the end of the season and this is what I like.”
Dealing with Injuries and Team Unity
Despite the challenges posed by injuries, including Craig Halkett and Marc Leonard missing the final two matches due to Achilles tendon injuries, Kyziridis remains optimistic about the team’s ability to cope. He recalled how the squad managed similar setbacks earlier in the season, such as losing captain Lawrence Shankland and star midfielder Cammy Devlin.
“Every player is important. There are many players who can adapt so fast and that is why we are calm,” he said. “In every team in every year, there will be injuries. The good thing is that we are a family and every player who comes from the bench or the stands is focused 100 per cent and will give everything to the team.”
Focusing on the Present
While the potential impact of McLean’s decision on the title race is a topic of discussion, Kyziridis prefers to focus on the immediate challenges. He said, “I don’t want to think about that right now. I just need to be focused on Wednesday.” This mindset reflects the team’s commitment to giving their best performance in each match, regardless of the broader implications.
