Source: Team_Talk
Hearts starlet explains split loyalties
The 18-year-old, a surprise starter in the 1-1 draw at Easter Road, wrote his name in Gorgie folklore when he volleyed in Ruben Palazuelos' cross to hand the visitors the lead on ths stroke of half-time.[LNB]The goal was witnessed by Smith's Hibernian-supporting parents and friends inside the stadium.[LNB]"I think the doors will be locked!" he joked when asked what kind of welcome he could expect when he returned home.[LNB]The young striker, who moved to Tynecastle from Livingston in the summer, is himself a die-hard Hearts fan.[LNB]Explaining the split loyalties in his own family, he said: "My dad's side of the family are all Hearts fans. He's the only one who's a Hibs fan.[LNB]"When I was younger, my auntie always used to take me to Hearts games because she's a season-ticket holder and that just changed me."[LNB]Smith, who got his parents tickets in the Hearts end on Sunday, plans to further upset them by hanging the shirt he wore on a wall at home.[LNB]And he made no apology for scoring against Hibs in a derby, adding: "I've dreamed about it since I was young.[LNB]"To score my first goal against Hibs is even more special.[LNB]"I just saw Ruben cross it, saw the defender was going to miss it and swung my leg."[LNB]Anthony Stokes equalised for Hibs after half-time before Palazuelos and Darren McCormack both saw red after exchanging headbutts.[LNB]Smith said: "I didn't even see what happened. But Ruben was in the changing room saying he didn't do anything."[LNB]Namesake Graeme Smith, making his debut in the Hibs goal, described McCormack's retaliatory headbutt as "a belter".[LNB]The former Motherwell keeper added of his first derby experience: "I loved it, loved it.[LNB]"I'm just delighted to be here and love those kind of games, just love the big games."[LNB]Smith, 26, was playing his first match for more than a month after being released by Brighton.[LNB]He moved to the south coast from Fir Park in the summer but lost his place in the side to Michel Kuipers when manager Russell Slade was sacked and replaced by Gus Poyet.[LNB]Smith said: "When Poyet came in he went with Michel and two days later I went to see him to ask the reason. His reason was because he knows him, he doesn't know me.[LNB]"By that time I'd had enough. I'd kicked about down there for four months.[LNB]"I said, 'Look, it's not working out. Let's get something organised'."[LNB]Smith insisted he did not regret picking Brighton over Hibs when John Hughes first tried to sign him last summer.[LNB]But he added: "This is a better club than Brighton, everything about it is a better club than Brighton.[LNB]"I was getting told, 'You have to go and play in England'. I wouldn't rule out going back down."[LNB][LNB] Aberdeen 11/8, Hearts 15/8, Draw 12/5
