Hearts manager Craig Levein has praised Glenn Whelan and Andy Irving for their efforts during the Jambos’ 2-2 draw with Hamilton.
Irishman Whelan arrived in the summer following a spell with Aston Villa. He has added experience and leadership to the midfield, something that was desperately lacking in the absence of Peter Haring.
Irving is a young midfielder who has emerged from the Tynecastle academy. He has turned in numerous standout performances this season and complemented the experienced Whelan well on Saturday.
In the aftermath of the Jambos’ 2-2 draw with Hamilton, Levein has praised both of their efforts.
He told the Edinburgh Evening News: “We continually didn’t do the things we normally do well, which is making first contact on the ball when it comes forward early.
“On the other side of that I thought Andy Irving had another really good match. Glenn Whelan was good and we controlled the midfield in the first half in particular.”
Irving and Whelan are the only Hearts positives to take from Hamilton draw
If it weren’t for the performances of Irving and Whelan, Levein wouldn’t have anything positive to say about the Hamilton game. It was a bitterly disappointing day in Gorgie.
Irving put himself about as he usually does and Whelan made some decent tackles and nice passes. They seem to be building a nice relationship and Hearts would have seriously struggled without them on Saturday.
On the whole though they weren’t good enough. Hamilton are not a good team, yet Hearts made them look like a very decent side. The visitors were the closest to snatching all three points too, with Marios Ogkmpoe hitting the bar late on.
To Whelan’s credit, he stayed about after the final whistle to applaud the fans left inside Tynecastle. Supporters appreciated that and it was a mark of class from the Irishman.
Whilst results aren’t picking up right now, the midfield duo of Irving and Whelan can’t be faulted for their efforts in trying to turn the tide at Hearts.