Stephen Humphrys reckons there is no better motivator for Hearts than the lure of European football to turn their form around.
The Jambos haven't been in the best of states in recent weeks with two wins out of their last five games culminating in a heavy defeat to Aberdeen just prior to the international break. Robbie Neilson's men sank in the north east against the manager-less Dons but still remain four points ahead of their third-place rivals and five ahead of city rivals Hibs.
But there was a wave of disappointment in the Hearts camp following the loss at Pittodrie and on-loan star Humphrys - who has already teased he would like to make his temporary switch a permanent one - claims the idea of returning the European stage is a big motivator. The winger has also moved to explain how the recent form can be turned around after the break.
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He told the Edinburgh Evening News: "It’s something that should motivate us all [European football], something to take our minds off games like Saturday. We have a chance to be playing against the Fiorentina's or whoever is in the competition next year. It’s a chance to test yourself at that level. There is no better motivation.
“It’s completely new for me, I’ve never done it before. Last season we were chasing promotion [with Wigan] and I’ve been in relegation scraps. I’ve never been chasing European football.
"It’s a nice challenge and it’s one which, growing up as a kid, you wanted to be doing. I’m enjoying the chase for European football. When I came to the club, that was definitely still the priority.
"The aim is to secure another European place and get some more European football for the fans. That’s our main focus.”
On Saturday's heavy defeat to Aberdeen, he added: “It was completely flat. You want the ground to swallow up because it’s one of those days you just want to forget.
“I can’t say it was a lack of effort. Aberdeen deserve credit because they caused us problems. We’ve got time to get a bit of rest in [during the international break] and look forward to the next game. That’s the best thing about football, you always have another chance to put it right. If we could play today it would ideal.
"The fans deserve better than they got on Saturday so we will do our best in the next game to put it right.”
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