Steven Naismith admits there will be no extra-time off for the Hearts players as he tries to put his stamp on the team.
The Gorgie side went into the two-week break on a high after thrashing Ross County 6-1 on Saturday in Naimsith’s second game in charge as interim manager.
That win ended a six-game losing run for Hearts, which included last week’s defeat against Hibs in Naimsiht’s dugout debut.
But with a point gap on Aberdeen to make up in the final five post-split matches, Naismith insists there is still a lot of work to get through on the training field.
Hearts will also take on St Johnstone in a bounce game on Friday before turning their attention to competitive action the following weekend.
Naismith said: “There isn't that much time off.
“We are still trying to get a routine here that works for us in terms of the way we play, and what we do in and out of possession.
"I'm not naive enough to think: 'Oh, we've won 6-1, we'll take some time off.' Players don't want that nowadays. They want to learn.
“As long as you are putting on good sessions and giving them content that makes them better players, they are happy to come in.
"It's not a case of giving them a week off because they've won. They will be in training this week.
“We've got a bounce game arranged for Friday at Tynie. "That will be against St Johnstone and everybody in the squad will play. That gives me another chance to see how these guys can do in their preferred positions.
“The boys were in training on Sunday, we had our awards night on Sunday night, the boys were off on Monday and then they are in the rest of the week. It's enjoyable work. We have all enjoyed being in.
“There have been long days, the players have had more meetings than normal, but the proof is in their performances. They are getting better.”
Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland was the big winner at the club’s player of the year awards.
The striker, who took his tally for the season to 25 with a hat-trick against the Staggies, won the players’ and fans’ player of the year awards.
Shankland also picked up the memorable moment award for becoming the first Hearts player since John Roberson in 1992 to score 20 goals in a single campaign with his effort in the derby against Hibs in January.
