The excuses may be piling up just like the missed chances which cost Hearts so dearly against Aberdeen on Sunday.
But Lawrence Shankland insists none of them will wash as the freefalling Jambos look to arrest the slide starting against Celtic on Saturday. A hectic schedule of domestic and European fixtures is beginning to take its toll on Robbie Neilson’s side with an injury list now in double figures coinciding with a run that’s seen them lose four and draw one of their last five outings.
Key figures including Craig Halkett, Kye Rowles, Liam Boyce, Beni Baningime, Nat Atkinson and Michael Smith missed the trip north while Andy Halliday and Peter Haring hobbled off to add to the woes. Throw in the fact their return from Thursday’s Europa League thrashing to Fiorentina in Italy gave no time to iron out issues on the training ground before they were back on the road to Pittodrie on Sunday means the Jambos management could be excused for using diversion tactics to explain their deteriorating form.
