Exclusive:Hearts losses prompt cutting comments and a desperation for failure - but club take a stand
Scottish Premiership title race is becoming more tense
The words of Lawrence Shankland on Saturday night set the scene: “It’s our turn this weekend for the meltdown. That’s just the way it is.” The injured Hearts captain was a Sky Sports analyst during his club’s 1-0 defeat at Kilmarnock. The result prompted some wails of discontent from dejected fans as the Premiership leaders saw their advantage cut to two points. It also brought out the gloaters who are desperate for the Tynecastle side’s title quest to fail. Such is life at the top of the table.
Rugby Park was Hearts’ fifth Premiership loss this season - all of them away from home. On each of those occasions, there have been smiles of satisfaction in some quarters and cutting comments from others. Despite four decades of title monopoly by Celtic and Rangers, it seems not everyone in Scottish football would welcome a change . At least, not one that involves Hearts becoming champions.
Naturally, Celtic and Rangers don’t want the title going to Gorgie because they still have designs on it themselves with eight games remaining. And any Hibs fan eager to see Hearts named the best team in the country may want to question their sanity. Some others who work in and follow Scotland’s top flight are up for a refresh, but not all. Hearts are aware of the carping their defeats generate and know full well that some people are willing their collapse.
Head coach Derek McInnes can harness the negative attitudes to develop a siege mentality within his squad should he choose to. He hasn’t needed it so far. Top since last September, Hearts remain in control of their own destiny. The club have a clear stance on naysayers and remain fully focused. “Every time we've lost a game this season, everybody has commented: 'That will be them now, that will be them.' We've never felt that to be honest. Never,” said McInnes, speaking exclusively to the Edinburgh News.
“We have always felt that there is enough evidence there, the team has done well, they represent our club brilliantly and have done all season. We have enough good boys, good types. We are all disappointed with the performance at Kilmarnock, but we will go again. I can only speak for us. It's my job to keep reminding the players of the opportunity we have.
“We need to be honest enough and own Saturday's performance, which wasn't good enough to win the game. In terms of possession, chances and shots, I thought we probably deserved to get something out of the game. The start kills us, though. It gives Kilmarnock something to hang on to and it was a difficult night because of that.”
There is the chance to atone this weekend when Dundee visit Tynecastle. Influential players like Shankland and midfielder Cammy Devlin should be back fit for that fixture. “When you don't play well, it's important you try to get something from the game. We huffed and puffed. One or two just had a really bad night,” said McInnes. “There are elements of the game that we are really unhappy about. We've got to just be honest with that.
“I'm not going to try and sugar-coat it in the sense that it's all positive, positive, positive when you wake up on Sunday. We look at why we lost the game, but at the same time we need to get ready for the Dundee game. We have been at our best this season when we've felt that full support behind us. These players will get my support and my staff's support all well.”