Hearts boss Daniel Stendel stresses the need for 'better results' as he targets Scottish Cup win and Europa League

St Mirren’s win during the week intensified the pressure on Hearts in the relegation battle

Hearts boss Daniel Stendel has admitted the team can no longer wait for better results, they need to arrive.

The German, looking ahead to the Scottish Cup quarter-final with Rangers, referenced St Mirren’s 2-1 win over Motherwell in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Tuesday.

The Buddies’ come-from-behind win at Fir Park means they are now six points ahead of 12th-place Hearts in tenth.

Daniel Stendel has stressed the need for better Hearts results. Picture: SNS

While a break from league action, Stendel has called on his players to use the game at Tynecastle on Saturday as a springboard.

"I think Rangers will be more focused for this game - the cup is a good chance for everyone to win a trophy, and especially after the first game,” he said.

"But for us it's important that we know we can win, that we play at Tynecastle, that we have the support that we need against Rangers.

"The game will not change our situation in the league but it can give us a lift for the next couple of games, especially after Tuesday night we all know we have no time for better results - we need better results. We want to start on Saturday.”

Stendel, who believes Hearts can win the Scottish Cup, is hopeful a positive result can provoke “positive thoughts” ahead of the rest of the campaign.

He said: "It's a big chance to have positive thoughts in our head for everything we can do in the season.

"The league has not given us much positive thoughts but the cup is a big chance. There are three games left and if we can win, then we can maybe play next year in the Europa League.

"It's a good chance but we are focused on this game. Rangers are one of the biggest teams but we beat Rangers a few weeks ago and why not again?"