Gorgie Rules. That’s the story of my first derby goal at Easter Road and a celebration that would become the symbol of my career from there on.
I tell it now because there’s a few Hearts players preparing for their first taste of action against Hibs at Easter Road in just four days’ time.
I’d suggest Robbie Neilson digs out a few old videos to get them in the mood. Maybe a few of my top moments in that place would help too.
I won more than I lost at Easter Road and while my first ever goal in Leith on April 3, 2011, might have ended in a draw it’s up there with the best moments of my career.
Jim Jefferies had set the tone by putting on a video of all John Robertson’s derby goals as we made the short bus trip from Gorgie to Leith.
He’d scored so many the journey wasn’t long enough!
We had Hearts songs booming out on that journey too as we got a police escort along Princes Street and down into opposition territory.
I was like a kid at Christmas with excitement and nerves all rolled into one.
That’s when Gary Locke - who was a coach at the time - got a hold of me and taught me the Gorgie Rules sign.
I’d no idea what he was on about but it must be something him and all his casuals pals did back in the day!
Lockey said I had to do it if I scored at Easter Road - he was showing me this thing where you hold down your middle two fingers with your thumb and stick the other two out .. it seemed a bit mental but I went along with it.
Lo and behold 24 minutes in the ball drops to me on the edge of the box, I control it with my right foot and slam it home with my left.
Before I knew it I was flashing the Gorgie Rules sign all over Easter Road! I’d scored at the home end and it was utter bedlam.
I loved it. That became my goal celebration for the rest of my career no matter who I played for.
Easter Road was a happy hunting ground. I scored there with a 25 yarder in the quarter finals of the League Cup in 2013. It was the only goal of the game and is probably my defining moment as a Hearts player.
But I’ll never forget that first derby goal. Hibs had fought back to take the lead before Stephen Elliot slammed home a late leveller which made it feel like a win.
Everything about that day brought home to me how amazing it was to be a Hearts player. What a privilege even.
People talk about pressure in football. Rubbish. It’s an absolute joy to play in those sorts of atmospheres and I totally appreciated getting to live every Hearts fans’ dream.
That’s what the current crop need to remember. And I’m sure Robbie will leave them in no doubt.
I thought John Souttar was immense again against Celtic on Wednesday considering what going on in the background and Liam Boyce was a half inch from being the two goal hero at the other end.
I felt for him when that penalty hit the post and ran along the line. But there were plenty of positive for Hearts not least the performance of Beni Baningime coming back from injury and the debut of Ellis Simms who looks a right handful up top.
There’s a huge game against Motherwell to deal with first tomorrow and the way Graham Alexander has them playing then it’s no gimme.
But Hearts players would be lying if they’re not thinking about Tuesday night already. I know I am!
It’s a derby so anything can happen but Hearts are a better side.
Hibs are weakened through the loss of Martin Boyle. Hearts are stronger in both boxes. And the numbers back that up.
I admit I hate stats. Former Aberdeen boss Ebbe Skovdahl was right when he said “statistics are like mini-skirts .. they give you good ideas but hide the most important parts”.
Nowadays you’re getting figures for how many times wingers ran in to the opposition half, how many passes out a goalkeeper made and the all-new phenomenon of XG .. I think it’s expected goals, however they work that out?
Boasting about possession when you’ve not won? Show me a team that has passed their way to three points without registering a single shot on target.
The only ones that matter are goals for and goals against. And maybe shots on target.
In their last two league matches Hibs have managed zero shots on target while Hearts have had nine.
It means little on paper. But if Tuesday’s game follows a similar theme there can only be one winner .. and maybe Liam Boyce and co could swot up on the old Gorgie Rules.
