John Robertson believes Hearts ’ hectic European schedule can be an “easy” excuse for domestic form, but injuries aren’t.
Robbie Neilson ’s men have had to cope with Europa Conference League group games while trying to keep touch with third place in the Premiership despite a raft of injuries so far this season. That they are only four points off Aberdeen going into the World Cup break and with players returning to fitness is testament to how they’ve hung on in there.
Tynecastle legend Robertson reckons playing Thursday-Sunday isn’t much of an issue. It’s going up against teams of real quality with a stretched squad that takes its toll. Hearts suffered heavy home and away defeats to Istanbul Basaksehir and Fiorentina in Group A. But two wins over RFS meant the table finished pretty much how it was expected to before a ball was kicked, and helped boost the coffers with prize money.
