Craig Gordon backs Toby Sibbick for Hearts turnaround after going from boos to cruise in Conference League
30.10.2022 - 09:21
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Craig Gordon insists Toby Sibbick’s Euro masterclass can be the turning point in his Hearts career.
The versatile defender has been a scapegoat for the Tynecastle boo-boys when things have gone wrong. But the way the 23-year-old held RFS at bay as the Jambos sealed a 2-1 victory over the Latvians on Thursday night won him new fans. When Robbie Neilson ’s side needed heroes to see out the win, their first in seven matches, Sibbick stepped forward. Instead of jeers, it was cheers – and by the end the supporters were singing his name in a way Gordon hopes can prove a watershed moment.
The Hearts skipper said: “I have to give a special mention to Toby for his performance on Thursday night. He never put a foot wrong. He drove the team from the back. For someone so young to be able to do that, he was absolutely fantastic.
“I am sure the fans will remember this result for his performance. He started it all off, he won the ball for the first goal by heading it back where it came from. He was a dominant centre-half and we got the first goal from that.
“From there he grew into the game and it’s one of the best centre-half performances I have seen in a while.”
Now in his second spell in Gorgie after a previous loan stint was turned into a permanent move in January, Sibbick first moved north from Barnsley in 2020. The stopper made just two appearances because of injury and illness, followed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It has not gone according to plan since returning either. Despite a raft of injuries to defenders, the Englishman has found it hard to hold down a place for the Jambos.
He wasn’t helped by a red card in August’s 2-0 defeat to Celtic but Gordon is confident Sibbick can now go from strength to strength. The Scotland keeper
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