Robbie Neilson says Hearts' full focus is on Livingston as he hailed his players for being in contention for third going into the break after juggling domestic and European football.
The Jambos have had to contend with a series of injuries in the first part of the season and an added extra eight games between Europa League qualifying and the Europa Conference League group stages. It's been an experience no one at Tynecastle would trade with the Gorgie men picking up two wins in the section over RFS in an excellent return.
The full focus now returns to domestic matters and finishing best of the rest behind Celtic and Rangers to ensure another crack at the European stage next season. Despite the added pressure of injuries to key personnel and lots of Thursday/Sunday football, Hearts find themselves just two points behind Aberdeen in the league standings ahead of the final round of fixtures pre-World Cup.
READ MORE: Robbie Neilson in Rangers time-wasting claim with Hearts boss unhappy with three minutes injury time
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Speaking to Hearts' official website, he said: "We’re really looking forward to the game tomorrow. It’s all focus on that. After that, some of them have time off. Some have international duty. Then we’ll get back to again in December. It gives us a chance to start working on things again.
“Because of the hectic Thursday/Sunday schedule – it’s been hard to do any real work on the training ground. Injuries as well means we’ve lacked continuity in the group. Hopefully this period coming up will give us a chance to reset.
“We’ve had some good, some bad. To be in contention for third is great. Getting a couple of wins in the group stage of Europe was excellent for us. We’re at Hearts and that’s where want to be. It’s a big ask but we’ve got the players that we think can get us to that position.”
Providing the latest on the injury front, Neilson revealed: “Much the same as the other day. Hopefully if we can get through this period we should have everyone apart from the two of Boyce and Baningime back. We’ll have a sell-out crowd behind us tomorrow and we know how important that’ll be before the break.
“Livi are going to be a tough test. I think Davie’s managed to recruit very well again there. We know what we’re going to get; Livingston will come here full of energy. The position they’re in is justified after their start to the season.”
READ NEXT:
- Hearts narrowly lose out at Rangers as Premiership becomes congested - three things we learned
- Cammy Devlin shelves Hearts and Hibs rivalry as he talks Boyle and Cummings Australia connection
- Jorge Grant Hearts red card appeal fails as midfielder set to miss Rangers and Livingston tussles
- Hearts star Cammy Devlin's tears of joy after Australia World Cup call revealed by Graham Arnold
