Hibs striker Dwight Gayle insists at the abuse from the Hearts fans as he was warming up spurred him on to become the match winning hero in Thursday’s Edinburgh derby.
The former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace frontman the came off the bench in the right frame of mind to write his name into the history books by securing Hibs first victory at Tynecastle in five years.
Speaking after the final whistle, he said: “I love the hostile environment when we are warming up.
“The boys were trying to stay by the Hibs supporters to keep out the way of it whereas I enjoy it – it gives me the extra edge.
“It means a lot more to the game too. That’s what we play football for. The goal was more relief, we started to feel a bit of pressure as a team.
“Hearts started to get a good edge to the game and controlled a lot of possession but we always looked a threat with the two strikers we had.”
His goal will be talked about by Hibs fans for many years to come, brilliantly deflecting Nicky Cadden’s cross past Craig Gordon.
“Boyley (Martin Boyle) made a really good run peeling to the back which opened up the space for me. Then yeah, it was really nice to score it. Where I was celebrating was really quiet. You could hear the Hibs fans going crazy behind us.
“But to experience the limbs (celebrations) at the end of the game and to celebrate with the fans… at one point I remember closing my eyes and trying to take it all in. These opportunities don’t come around every day and you have to enjoy them when they come.”
Gayle has enjoyed a fine career in the English top-flight scoring 152 career goals including at Old Trafford and Anfield, so where does the derby winner rate in his list of achievements?
He said: “Obviously with what the goal means to the fans, there’s not going to be many better. It’s such a big derby and to score the winner it’s definitely going to be one of my favourites to look back on.
“These are the moments we love but you just have to enjoy them for what they are and keep progressing as a team. Hopefully we get some more moments like that before the end of the season. As soon as you come into the club you realise how big this game is in the city and to the fans.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
