Toby Sibbick reveals his social media boom after Hearts beat Rangers

Toby Sibbick is already enjoying life at Hearts

Toby Sibbick's social media exploded after beating Rangers on his Hearts debut and the player admits being astonished by the public reaction. Supporters lavished praise on the young Englishman following his performance in Sunday's 2-1 victory at Tynecastle Park, which came just 48 hours after a loan move from Barnsley.

The most significant result of Daniel Stendel's short tenure in Gorgie was underpinned by two new arrivals. Sibbick's midfield tenacity and Liam Boyce's clinical finishing added two vital components to Stendel's team. Both were hailed as instant heroes afterwards.

"My Instagram comments, messages, Twitter, everything has just blown up," revealed Sibbick, 20. "I read a few of the messages but sometimes what comes through is just too much. I'm grateful for all the support they are showing me. It means a lot when a young player sees positive comments. Hopefully I can just keep up these performances.

"It's crazy. That's the first time I've ever experienced something like that - just notification after notification on my phone. I'm grateful to the fans who are helping me along in this journey."

He is also grateful to Stendel for signing him twice inside six months. The German brought Sibbick to Barnsley from AFC Wimbledon last summer and lured him to Edinburgh with a commitment to developing young players. "It was the same at Barnsley, he played young players there as well. Some managers don't like youth but with this gaffer, it seems if you're old enough you're good enough," explained Sibbick.

"No matter your age, you can get thrown in. If you impress, you can keep your place because why should you get taken out of the team as long as you are doing well. The gaffer has got trust in players and he is keen to give people opportunities."

Stendel did not hesitate to pitch Sibbick into a high-octane Scottish fixture against Rangers after just one training session at Riccarton. Eager to add physical presence and energy to the Hearts midfield, he knew he could trust the young man from London.

"I trained on Saturday before the game and that was the first time I had met everyone. The boys were welcoming," said Sibbick. "I have worked with the gaffer before and that helped my because I know his style and how he wants to play and I think that played a bit part as well.

"It wasn’t too hard settling in, it was just trying to get to know the boys a bit better. In training I was a bit quiet but on Sunday I tried to come out of my shell, start helping the boys and telling them where to go. It helps people on the pitch if you talk to them."

Hearts cannot afford to wallow in the satisfaction of beating one of the two major Glasgow clubs, though. They travel to St Johnstone today aiming to continue their fight against relegation. McDiarmid Park's ambience is vastly different to the tight confines of Tynecastle but Sibbick has already proven he can adapt quickly. He is again expected to be a key part of Stendel's starting line-up.

"I just feel football is all about consistency and if we are consistent again today, I've no doubt we can get the three points," said the player. "We are a good team. They are a good side as well. We are both in quite similar situations but ours is more valuable at the moment. We are going to go there with no reason to get less than three points."

Asked where he prefers to play, Sibbick chose midfield ahead of right-back and centre-back. "I like sitting in front of the back four. I like cleaning up, sweeping up and giving it to the more advanced players. I feel I can get up and down the pitch as well. I quite enjoy that holding role."