Hearts hero lifts lid on Tynecastle mantra driving title belief and reveals when he knew they’d beat Rangers
Hearts stalwart uncovers dressing room message that has driven Scottish Premiership title charge.
Hearts' goalscoring hero Stephen Kingsley believes the team’s dressing room mantra has been the driving force behind their remarkable title charge following the mammoth 2-1 victory over Rangers on Monday afternoon.
Derek McInnes’ men went three points clear of Celtic the top of the Scottish Premiership after staging a momentous second-half comeback against Rangers at Tynecastle, with goals from Kingsley and talismanic captain Lawrence Shankland putting Hearts on the cusp of their first title win for 65 years.
Out of sorts in the opening 45 minutes, the Jambos headed into the dressing room 1-0 down after Dujon Sterling’s opener. However, they found another gear when they returned for the second period, and with just three games remaining, Hearts have destiny in their own hands.
“It was probably one of the biggest games I've had and experienced at this club,” Kingsley told the club’s official X (formerly Twitter). “Just in terms of what it could potentially mean. Who knows where we'll be at the end of the season, but it's a massive step in the right direction. It's one we looked forward to, and we had full belief we could get something. The way it started was frustrating; we weren't quite right for whatever reason.
“But I've said it time and time again, it's the character of the squad we've got - not just the players on the pitch but the ones on the bench as well - and the mentality, we've shown it time and time again. We never know when we're out of it, and it's just such a pleasure to play with a team that just feels like no matter what time it is, where you are or what situation, we're going to pull through and rally. Genuinely, every single one of us believes we're good enough to pull ourselves out of the mud and get the win.”
The 31-year-old, who also grabbed the assist for Shankland’s winning goal, revealed the moment he knew they were going to turn it around against Danny Rohl’s men and has urged his Hearts teammates to continue to “embrace the pressure” that will come in the final three games as they look to finish the job and bring the title back to Gorgie.
“After five minutes in the second half, I just thought we could it,” said Kingsley. “We just needed to get that first goal, as we did at Easter Road last week, and when we did, I just felt there was only going to be one winner here. We were going to do it again and get through it.
“Previously in my career, I've had years and seasons where there's been pressure on us. And there have been times that you're fighting against relegation, you're down there, and you're scrapping for your life. Not only your livelihood, but the people you work with's livelihood. That's pressure that no one wants, but you have to find that mentality to get through it. This year is different; there's pressure and nerves, but this is the pressure you dream about as a kid, and work so hard to have.
“We're so lucky to have that pressure because we're going for a title. Just telling ourselves that before the games, and the week leading up to it. Yes, there's pressure, yes, there's noise, nerves - but embrace it. Relish the fact we're in a title race, in a team outside of the Old Firm. That's incredible. What an opportunity, how hard and how long have you worked to feel this pressure?”
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