Robbie Neilson reveals Hearts transfer state of play as he aims to smash 19-year record in 2023
23.12.2022 - 09:13
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Robbie Neilson was only in his first full season as a top team regular when Hearts last secured back-to-back top three finishes. That was back in 2003-04 and the man now in charge of the Jambos reckons curing their away day blues is key to repeating the feat 19 years later and cementing their place as Scotland’s third force.
Hearts take a Christmas Eve trip to Tayside to face Dundee United tomorrow before heading to take on St Johnstone next midweek having not won in Perth for 12 years. Momentum is with the Gorgie side who have seen Aberdeen slump to two defeats in the past week while Hearts returned from the World Cup break with a comfortable 3-1 home win over Kilmarnock.
But with just two victories from eight league games on their travels this season - three from 12 in all competitions - Neilson knows where the biggest improvement needs to come. He said: “Everyone can beat each other. If we can go on a sustained run of wins then it can take us away from everyone.
“Dundee United had some good results at home this season so it’s going to be tough. Generally it’s been our form as well - home games have been comfortable and it’s the away games we need to improve in.
“It’s been a long time since Hearts have finished back-to-back third. So it’s a difficult task. When you get into these European games and are playing Thursday-Sunday right through then it can be difficult.
“But we said at the start if we can be round about third when we come out of Europe then we have a chance. When you start the league you want to win it. If you can’t win it you want to be second. And as it goes further and further you reassess those targets. If we can finish third again it would be a great achievement having had such a tough start to the season.”
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