'Everyone buys into Daniel Stendel's plan' - Toby Sibbick backs Hearts boss and reveals date for potential return

Toby Sibbick has echoed Hearts captain Steven Naismith in rubbishing talk of a dressing room split at Tynecastle.

The on-loan Barnsley man, who has missed the Jambos' last four games after being struck down by glandular fever, insists that every man in maroon is behind Daniel Stendel.

He told the Daily Record: "Since I have been here everyone on the training pitch is buying into what Daniel wants to do.

“You can see on the pitch we are all trying to implement his style of play and it’s not like anyone is neglecting it. To hear talk of unrest in the dressing room is just strange.

“It’s a good group of lads. Everyone gets along well and it’s not as if people are disagreeing in the changing room. We all know the situation but everyone is sticking together to get out of it."

The 20-year-old has played twice for the Jambos since moving north of the Border and is hopeful of returning to action when Hearts host Rangers in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals on 29 February.

'He believes in us and we believe in him'

He insists there are no issues behind the scenes and, having worked under Stendel at Oakwell, gave more of an insight into the German head coach's approach.

“In my time at Barnsley and here he has always taken time to speak to me directly about what he wants and helps me improve as a player," Sibbick explained.

“His man-management is good and that’s massive for any player. He believes in us, and we believe in him.

“I don’t see why we can’t get out of this situation because we are a good group of players and we just need to believe that more on the pitch.”