Source: Team_Talk
Stevo 'enjoyed' Spurs rout
Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson insists he took some enjoyment from the 5-0 defeat by Tottenham as he put the Europa League game into context.[LNB] Stevenson, who was playing for Ayr two years ago, took the positives from pitting himself against top Premier League players.[LNB]The likes of Rafael van der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe were on the scoresheet as Spurs showed their class at Tynecastle.[LNB]"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," Stevenson said.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"It was a harsh lesson for us but it was bittersweet - it was enjoyable at the same time."[LNB]When asked what his hopes were for the second leg of the play-off on Thursday, Stevenson said: "To score six. No, just to go down and enjoy it.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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."[LNB]Hearts first have to face unbeaten Kilmarnock in the SPL and will aim to do better than Edinburgh rivals Hibernian did at Rugby Park seven days earlier.[LNB]Killie cruised to a 4-1 victory as Kenny Shiels' new-look team clicked on their third SPL match of the season. Hearts manager Paulo Sergio said: "If they score four goals it's because they have quality.[LNB]"We know they have a good team and we have to be good to get a good result there."
