Kye Rowles knows Hearts' priority is to finish third and qualify for Europe.
But the Jambos stopper doesn't want to settle for just that - he wants to be challenging Celtic and Rangers and try close the gap to the Old Firm duo. The Australia international - who committed his long-term future to the Tynecastle side on a five-year deal - has detailed the steps Robbie Neilson's men need to make to bridge that difference.
The Gorgie outfit make the trip to face Ange Postecoglou and his table toppers at Parkhead tonight before the duo go head to head once more this weekend in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals. That tie will take place at Tynecastle with a spot in the last four and a trip to Hampden up for grabs for the winner. Rowles knows the two games will be challenging but also very different as they bid to increase their lead in third and keep their domestic cup ambitions alive in a big four days.
READ MORE: Robbie Neilson outlines one key factor Hearts must show against Celtic ahead of Parkhead challenge
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Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, he said: “That gap is still there. We don’t just want to come third every year. You want to challenge the top two so the first step towards that is competing against them when we play them.
"Not only that, we have to turn into a team like them. Home or away, against every other team in the league, they get the job done.
“If we have a bad game but still win, like we did during December and January, that’s the level we need to get to. If you get results game in and game out, then we start turning into a team that others will sit back against. They won’t come out thinking: ‘Yeah, we can get something.’ Once we get to that level that’s when the gap will start closing.
"We aren’t too far off it. Our consistency has been good for extended periods this year so hopefully we can keep building on that.”
On facing Celtic, he added: “It’s going to be two challenging games although they will be very different. Tonight is a tall order but we have been working on stuff this week, ways that we can play our game and be at our most productive.
"We are only going there with a positive mindset because a good result tonight would give us all the confidence in the world for Saturday.
“There is enough belief in this squad. You don’t want to turn up, lie down and just let them play their game and dictate it. Then it’s just a waste of your time.
"Celtic Park is a bigger pitch so there are times when you can and can’t go [forward]. We will try to soak up some pressure and make the most of our own opportunities.”
“I played in the last game there and getting a feel for what the stadium is like was a great opportunity. We want to increase our lead in third place and I’m excited to go there again.”
READ NEXT:
- Robbie Neilson outlines one key factor Hearts must show against Celtic ahead of Parkhead challenge
- Hearts 3 St Johnstone 0 as Josh Ginnelly brace helps keep grip on third - three things we learned
- Barrie McKay says pressure always on at Hearts as he calls for 'real performance' vs St Johnstone
