There must be a bit of a masochist in Ryan Stevenson as he says he took some enjoyment from the thrashing handed out by Spurs on Thursday night. Stevenson, who was playing for Ayr two years ago, wanted to take the positives from pitting himself against some of the top Premier League players. The likes of Rafael van der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe were on the scoresheet as Spurs showed their class at Tynecastle as Spurs racked up a 5-0 win.
Stevenson said: "The way they were knocking the ball about, you were trying to get near them and at times you thought you were getting close, but you weren't really. They are top-class players. You look to see how far off you are from that sort of level and that shows how good these teams in the Premiership are. When you sit at home watching them on the TV you think 'they're good players' but when you actually play against them you realise how good they are. Every single player they had was top-drawer. (Niko) Kranjcar, who I thought was outstanding, struggles to get a game for them. That just shows you the quality they have. It was a harsh lesson for us but it was bittersweet - it was enjoyable at the same time.''
When asked what his hopes were for the second leg of the play-off on Thursday, Stevenson was in realistic frame of mind. He said: "To score six. No, just to go down and enjoy it. People think it's hard - there are people fighting on the front line in Afghanistan and people working nine-to-five jobs. You have to take the positives from everything in life. We had a great game, a great crowd, it was enjoyable playing against them. Next week we are looking forward to going to White Hart Lane and we'll try to put on a better show.''
Hearts take on unbeaten Kilmarnock today and will aim to do better than Edinburgh rivals Hibs did at Rugby Park last Sunday. Killie cruised to a 4-1 win as Shiels' new-look team clicked on their third SPL game of the season. Hearts manager Paulo Sergio said: "If they score four goals it's because they have quality. We know they have a good team and we have to be good to get a good result there.''