Robbie Neilson has expressed his disappointment over Hearts loss to Rangers as he says the 'bump in the road' will allow his side to learn going forward.
The Jambos went into their clash with the Light Blues on a ten game unbeaten run while Michael Beale's side arrived in the capital without a defeat in 12. The Ibrox side came out the traps from the first whistle and blew the home side away in a comfortable 3-0 win. The visitors also had a number of goals ruled out for offside with Zander Clark also making numerous top saves in the capital.
Neilson and Co are still sitting third and have a six point cushion over St Mirren - who have played a game less - in the race to finish best of the rest behind Celtic and Rangers. The Gorgie side won't have too much time to reflect on the loss with Dundee United making the trip to Tynecastle at the weekend with Hearts looking to bounce back immediately. It's then a Scottish Cup fifth round tie at Hamilton Accies with a last eight spot up for grabs.
READ MORE: Stephen Humphrys reveals what he told Robbie Neilson when Hearts boss asked about permanent switch
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Delivering his assessment on the game, Neilson told Hearts TV: “I’m really disappointed. I don’t think we really started the game well at all. We were a bit negative in our play, we weren’t connecting like we normally do.
“Rangers pressed us very aggressively, I thought at times we could have played through that press, but we were just too passive at times.
“We built this team and have had a fantastic ten-game run which we have gone undefeated in by playing positive and passing forward and being aggressive and we just didn’t do that tonight.
“This is one that we will look back at. Sometimes when you are winning every week, everything becomes easy, but now you get this bump in the road and you get a bit of negativity, it allows you to learn, so there will be lots of things for us to look back at and try to rectify for the coming weeks.
“We have another game here on Saturday against Dundee United, so hopefully we can get back to that positive football that we have been playing.”
READ NEXT:
- Stephen Humphrys reveals what he told Robbie Neilson when Hearts boss asked about permanent switch
- Hearts star Craig Gordon back in gym just ONE month after double leg break as rehab journey begins
- Lee Johnson in Kevin Nisbet Hibs transfer update as he details chat following Millwall decision
- Josh Campbell opens up on 'WILD' Hibs hat-trick and emotions he was experiencing before penalty
- Ryan Porteous Hibs to Watford switch helped by John McGinn as defender learns fan demands
