Andy Halliday insists the Tynecastle squad are going to have to get tough to salvage their season.
Hearts are in freefall after Saturday’s derby defeat to Hibs left third-place hopes hovering the drain on the back of six straight losses. The Jambos looked certs to finish best of the rest but are now five points behind Aberdeen, one ahead of
St Mirren and only two above their Easter Road rivals in sixth.
Interim boss Steven Naismith has a fight on his hands to fend off the sides below, never mind reeling in the Dons in front. But Halliday has urged fuming fans to keep faith despite recent results and said: “It’s time for tough men and tough characters. I don’t think we had a reaction to poor results over the last few games. There was a reaction on Saturday but quality was lacking and I don’t think we did enough to win.
“It was a typical derby, pretty frantic, end-to-end for the most part. When big moments and chances came, Hibs created the better of them. IIt’s disappointing but you have to stand up and be counted. I’ve had worse situations in my career than this one, as much as it doesn’t feel like that.
“What is it now? Five points with six games to go? Far from impossible. We’ve shown before that we can turn out on a result. The fans are going to hate me saying it because we’ve not won in a number of weeks, but that’s the reality. It’s not what people want to hear but it’s a great dressing room, it really is.
I’ve really enjoyed being part of it over the last few years. It’s lacking a bit of confidence just now, we’ve all been in dressing rooms when that’s happened, but it’s about stepping up and being counted. It’s about doing more, taking on more of the
information Naisy’s put in front of us to try and turn our results.”
Halliday admitted he was gutted to see Robbie Neilson axed but there are no excuses for the Jambos squad with six games to go and European football still a live issue. He said: “It’s difficult. These things happen and it’s disappointing but I have to credit Naisy and the staff as there’s been a positive reaction in training.
We were prepared, there was plenty of good info given to us and we knew what was expected – we just didn’t deliver in those key moments.”
Naismith claimed the Hearts side have to forget about third but Halliday won’t give up the fight. He said: “This is where we are. It’s been a tough few weeks. This has been an even tougher week.
“Heart, passion and desire were there but not a lot of quality. I hope the fans see that it’s hurting the boys as much as it’s hurting them. We need to look forward and be positive because third and Europe is still up for grabs.”
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