Kye Rowles has warned the Easter Road boo boys they’re wasting their time – because their derby day slurs only spur Hearts on.
The Jambos defender can’t wait to enter the lions den in Leith on Sunday and knows he’ll cop pelters from three quarters of the sold out ground with capital bragging rights at stake for the first time this season. Tensions will be further stoked with the rivals locked on five points at the bottom of the Premiership table after enduring miserable starts to the campaign. But Rowles is convinced Hearts have turned the corner under Neil Critchley.
Back-to-back wins at Tynecastle over St Mirren and Omonia in the new boss’ first two games has seen confidence soar ahead of the trip across the city. And Australia international Rowles is now targeting three in three – and silencing the Hibs hecklers. He said: “Yeah, I don’t mind it, to be honest. Sometimes it’s funny. I like it when they get creative and stuff. Usually I just cop ginger. That’s a bit boring.
“Look, I know for all our boys we’ll be spurred on by getting booed and things like that. I just can’t wait to be in there. It’s good. It gets you going. Gives you a lift in energy, especially late on, or if you’re struggling for a period in the game and you hear that, you know, you get a little burst of energy and that little kick of fight that you need. It gets you going.
“I think we’re both fighting to keep each other down there, so hopefully we can get the win. But anything can happen on derby day. Whoever wants it the most on the day is going to get the three points.”
Rowles has looked back to his best beside Frankie Kent in the centre of a four man Hearts defence that’s delivered back-to-back clean sheets under Critchley. Another one on Sunday would provide the perfect platform for the Jambos to stretch their recent derby record that’s seen them lose just one of the last 14 meetings with their rivals.
There’s no danger of the Socceroo getting carried away with the new manager bounce though. Not yet anyway. He said: “We’re obviously still not at the 100 per cent confidence that we’d like to be. I don’t think you could be in the position that we’re in.
“We’re just building that confidence, building that trust with each other. Obviously, it’s a new system. So we’re still working out the system that the gaffer wants us to play, ironing out the kinks, trying to make sure that we’re as close to perfect as possible.
“And look, we just want to focus on just being at our best as much as possible. Sometimes you have an off day, but if you can minimise them, then we’ll go a long way.
“Yeah, the derby record’s not bad. Hopefully we can build on it again on Sunday. There’s a lot on the line. No one wants to be at the bottom. And, you know, even though we’re both down there, that’s actually a lot to play for. You just don’t want to be down there. It’s not a good feeling.
“We know it’s going to be a tough ask. We know what the atmosphere is like and what the game is going to be like. So, look, we just want to turn up, play our game. We’ve shown a different style of football, I think, the last two games. And look, we just want to bring that intensity and be on the front foot and put in a performance the same as the last two games.”
Meanwhile Rowles doesn’t buy into the Manchester City mantra that too much football is putting players at risk of burnout. As far as the Aussie is concerned he wants more – and that means building on the Jambos’ perfect start to the Conference League campaign and qualifying for the knockout stages.
In the last two months Rowles has flown back Down Under on two occasions and also to Indonesia on World Cup qualifying duty. He’s been to Azerbaijan with Hearts and has trips to Brugge and Copenhagen after another international break before Christmas.
Man City superstars Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva have all slammed the “absurd” increase in games. But Rowles said: “I don’t mind. That’s what we’re paid to do, play football and playing big games. Playing in Europe is a dream, especially as an Aussie kid.
“I missed out the first campaign when I was first here two years back. And yeah, I was just itching to get into European football and give it a crack and test yourself. And it’s been great.
“Hopefully we can make up for it this time. And look, to be honest, playing games is better than training. Don’t tell the gaffer that. But it’s good fun. And we’ve got the squad depth to be able to handle all these games.
“Look it is hectic. Don’t get me wrong, especially with the international windows. We’ve had three in three months consecutive. So it is pretty hectic. But, you know, we get treated very well by federations and then by our staff here as well.
“You get used to it. You’re a bit of a zombie when you’re traveling, especially back to Oz. But look, when you step on the pitch, you know what your job is and you just get it done.”