Hearts produced a show of strength to see off Motherwell with room to spare.
But Jambos boss Robbie Neilson insists his side still need to buck up their ideas for the big Edinburgh Derby showdown on Tuesday.
Andy Halliday’s strike on his 50th appearance for the club and loan start Ellis Simms opening his account gave the Gorgie men a comfortable win – despite six changes to the side that were edged out by Celtic.
Neilson will lose Craig Halkett for up to six weeks but he was also able to rest some of his big game players such as Barrie McKay as he rotated ahead of the Hibs clash.
It was a perfect day for the Jambos but the gaffer said: “It was a tough game. Motherwell are well organised, they make it a difficult game to get any flow. We knew it would be like that. I’m delighted with the three points but disappointed with the performance. I thought we’ve played a lot better than that this season.
“Especially at home, we should be performing better.
“We still have to play better. We didn’t control the game that well. Credit to Motherwell - they make it like that. But we need to show a bit more composure.
“We’re going to Easter Road so we have to win. It doesn’t matter if we’re 10 points ahead or 10 points behind. All our focus now is going there and trying to get three points.”
John Souttar was withdrawn after taking a bump but Neilson expects to have him for Hibs – unless Gers come back to the table.
He said: “There’s been nothing new with John. Although I saw they lost three goals today so I might get a phone call!
“But at this moment in time there’s been nothing.
“He’s fine. He’s left here and he’ll be back in tomorrow. And I expect he’ll be available for Tuesday if he’s still here.”
The Jambos boss isn’t planning to burn the midnight oil on deadline day as he declared himself happy with his squad.
It said it all that he was able to change half a team – and yet were not weakened in any way.
Neilson said: “We know what this season and last season have been like. You could lose six or seven players within hours because of Covid. But the squad is quite strong.
“You see our bench and that was without Halkett and Michael Smith. We’ve got Aaron McEneff who can’t get game time, Alex Cochrane who just came in – a whole host of players there. I’m pleased with where the squad is at the moment.”
Neilson was thrilled to see Simms get off the mark and insisted there was more to come from the Everton ace.
He said: “I’m delighted for him – and it was from a good range as well! That’s the distance you want for your first goal. I thought he did well but the players still need to figure out the runs he makes and what he’s good at.”
Neilson was being cute with the gentle jab at his squad as they were good value. Motherwell didn’t help themselves, mind you, as they were caught in possession at both goals.
The visitors went close when Kevin van Veen’s low effort skipped wide but the Jambos eventually took charge.
There was a bizarre booking for Liam Kelly when he took the huff at a daft call over a pass back and the keeper managed to keep out a Halliday header.
But he couldn’t do much about the opener after little over half an hour.
Halliday’s finish was smart and it was all about Boyce’s hard graft, with the striker twice winning the ball in the build up for allowing Cammy Devlin to play in his pal for the opener.
Van Veen threatened to level before the break and Hearts were hit with a blow when Souttar failed to reappear after it, with Tony Sibbick making his Jambos return.
Neilson’s men continued to push though and Halliday nearly started and finished a move when he got on to Taylor Moore’s cross but Kelly got in the way.
The second was on the way and it arrived after a devastating move as Devlin stole possession before releasing Boyce, who picked out Simms to tuck away from close range.
It should have been three moments later – when Well got robbed yet again. This time it was Simms who won the ball, he set Boyce through and Ben Woodburn’s effort on the cut back was blocked on the line before the flag ruled it offside.
Motherwell kept plugging away but Halliday had a strong penalty appeal waved away and the home side were strong enough to see it though and go in to Tuesday’s capital showdown with a bounce.
