Robbie Neilson wants his Hearts team to lift it

Robbie Neilson today demanded more urgency and spark from his Hearts players ahead of their trip to Pittodrie on Thursday night.

Robbie Neilson wants a better Hearts performance in Aberdeen. Pic: SNS

The head coach feels his team are not putting opponents under enough pressure in their final few matches of the season. Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ross County exemplified the problem and Neilson says everyone at Tynecastle must take responsibility.

“We didn’t create enough chances on Saturday and we didn’t score more goals,” he lamented. “We passed the ball quite well and got into some good areas but we aren’t putting teams under pressure.

“We’re not getting crosses in and we’re not getting shots at goal. We did it during the season but, in this little period, we’re not getting that spark and we need to get it. We need it.

“If you put teams under pressure, you’ll get opportunities and score goals. That gives everyone a lift. There’s a responsibility on us all to try and inspire the crowd. The whole team did all right on Saturday but we want better than that. We want really good or excellent and we didn’t quite get that. We need to get more of it.”