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Hearts midfielder Malaury Martin insists he loved the atmosphere during Saturday’s ‘crazy’ clash with Hamilton, but is hoping the team can get the supporters off their seats by playing a winning brand of football.
The weekend’s 1-1 draw with Accies was dominated by events on the touchline as both Hearts manager Craig Levein and his assistant Austin MacPhee were sent to the stand during separate incidents in an ill-tempered second half.
Referee Bobby Madden, who issued ten yellow cards – including two to Hearts defender Jamie Brandon, inevitably became a target for stick from the Tynecastle fans as the hosts’ winless run stretched to six games.
However, Martin, who is planning to return from a hip tendon problem within a month after being sidelined since August, is hoping the players can rouse the supporters for different reasons in the future.
He said: “It was crazy but I enjoyed it, honestly. I enjoyed this crazy game, I felt the atmosphere was really nice in this crazy game.
“We probably need to show more craziness on the pitch than outside it but the atmosphere was brilliant in this game.
“Honestly, it was really exciting in the stand. It was nice. You want to play in games like that.
“It’s not only good play that fans react to – sometimes it’s when players show passion and character.
“It can help us if the players really feel the atmosphere and it will be tough for the opposition because it could turn their legs to jelly.
“I was sitting behind the home dug out so I had a good view but I was trying to focus more on the game.
“When the incidents happened I was like ‘oh oh, what’s going on?’ but I saw that more on the TV afterwards than live.
“Some games can be like that where crazy things happen. It can be down to the pressure of the game.
“I know it makes a great story but I was in the dressing room after the game and the talk was more about the actual match than the incidents.
“Even the Hamilton players were shaking hands after the game. I didn’t see a problem. If you watch the match there wasn’t one punch or one really crazy moment.
“I’ve seen worse situations where there was actual fighting.
“It’s normal, when you know you need points the tension is there but it’s not a big deal.”
Hearts will attempt to collect their first win at the redeveloped Tynecastle at the fourth attempt when they host Motherwell on Saturday.
And Martin, who has only made five league starts since joining from Lillestrom in January, admits both he and the team are far from happy about their current fortunes.
He said: “It’s a tough period that is for sure. Frustration is a good term for everybody, even myself because I cannot help the team.
“Everyone wants this first victory in front of the new main stand and hopefully it will arrive this week.
“It’s a bit like a striker going through a tough period of not scoring, he scores one then ten in a row.
“I think that’s the same with us, we need this first victory because everyone was expecting it. We’ve had some problems with the stand and everyone was talking about the new stadium and now we’re here we need this first victory.”
•Hearts midfielder Malaury Martin and Hibs defender Darren McGregor were at Tesco Corstorphine yesterday to promote Edinburgh Cheers Christmas Dinner.
The capital rivals will open their doors on Christmas Day to serve lunch to those in need, with food being provided from Tesco stores across the city.
Groups and individuals interested should contact edinburghcheer@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
