Arnaud Djoum still on high following derby goal for Hearts
Arnaud Djoum will go into Hearts' Ladbrokes Premiership meeting with Partick Thistle on Saturday still buzzing with his cup goal against Hibernian last Sunday.
The 26-year-old midfielder gave the Jambos the lead in a thrilling William Hill Scottish Cup fifth-round tie at Tynecastle with a 25-yard thunderbolt although their Edinburgh neighbours fought back from two down to force a 2-2 draw, with the replay next Tuesday.
Djoum admits he is still walking on air as he prepares for the visit of the Jags.
Even now when I think about it, I get that feeling,''
It was so amazing, the highest feeling I ever had.
It would have been better had we won but I have a second chance to score again and I will do everything to get this feeling again.''
First of all, however, the third-placed Jambos will try to follow up the 3-0 win at Ross County on Wednesday night against a team they have already beaten 3-0 and 4-0 this season.
Djoum, however, believes any drop in standards could prove costly.
He said: You have to stay focused because in the two other games against them we were really concentrated and played good football.
If we do that we will be okay but if you think it will be easy it is a big mistake.
You just have to continue to work hard, play with concentration and focus and we will be okay.''
Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson will read nothing into the two previous meetings with Partick Thistle.
They are all difficult games,'' he said.
In the first game at Tynecastle we rode our luck a bit in the first 30 minutes and we got a lucky goal when their goalkeeper fumbled it and the other game at Firhill was another tough game.
We scored a couple of late goals, after we had to battle though.
But we have players who can score goals and stop goals so it is a good combination to have.''
Neilson is confident none of his players' minds will be straying towards the replay at Easter Road next week.
It is just about the next game,'' he said
The players know it is a big game tomorrow, they know that if they perform well they know that they have a chance of getting a game in the derby.
That keeps them ready but I never feel that they look too far ahead.''