BY DARREN JOHNSTONE – Capital City Press
Danny Swanson admits he knew his Hibs-daft dad was happy about him moving to Tynecastle as soon as he heard Hearts songs booming out of his pub.
The attacking midfielder joined Robbie Neilson’s side on Thursday on a deal until the end of the season and is set to make his debut in this evening’s trip to Inverness.
Before setting off for training yesterday morning, Swanson popped into his father’s watering hole in the centre of Leith and was stunned to discover he had updated his jukebox with ditties that are heard on the other side of the capital’s football divide.
The Edinburgh-born playmaker, who negotiated his release at Coventry City before the transfer window closed, said: “My dad John is a big Hibby and I went into the pub (Swanny’s Bar) to say bye to him on Thursday morning because he’s going on holiday.
“He and a few punters were in the pub and there were Hearts songs on the jukebox. I never thought I’d see the day, but I’ve converted him!
“He’s looking forward to coming along and watching me.
“He looks after a handicapped guy Alastair who he’s had in the house for a few years and he’s into Hearts, so he’s going to bring him along.”
Swanson insists his switch to Gorgie has gone down well with his entire family.
He added: “Not many people know but my mum’s side of the family are all Hearts fans.
“My grandad, Llario Guerri, was a season-ticket holder for over 30 years so I’d like to think he’ll be looking down proud of me.
“He was Italian but he came over to Scotland and took to Hearts right away.
“He took my mum to all the games. My Nana Guerri phoned my dad’s pub to speak to him on Thursday night after I signed and she was very emotional. She was very pleased so I was happy with that.”
Swanson, meanwhile, admits he is thrilled to be linking up with Craig Levein again after the Hearts director of football was manager at Dundee United when he moved to Tannadice from Berwick Rangers in 2008.
The 28-year-old, who left United for Peterborough in 2012, added: “He’s always believed in me, since day one.
“I always remember him speaking to me after one of my first games for Dundee United, at Celtic Park.
“I had a bad game and was feeling really down, but he took me into his office and told me how good I was and reminded me why he had brought me to United.
“I’ll never forget how he picked me up that day. It helped me massively and from then on I went into games thinking differently.
“I owe a massive debt to Craig for the career I’ve had and hopefully I can repay him at Hearts.”
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