NO EXCUSES FOR BERRA
CHRISTOPHE BERRA knows there are no excuses this season if the Jambos don’t end up with a European spot.
Last term’s off-field distractions – spending a chunk of the campaign at Murrayfield and changing manager after sacking Ian Cathro – contributed to a sixth-place finish.
But captain Berra is aiming higher this time and wants to follow city rivals Hibs into the Europa League arena.
He said: “Last term there were a lot of distractions off the pitch – Murrayfield, things going on at the new stadium, this and that.
“But this year everything is settled now. We have a new pitch which is excellent, the majority of the stadium is finished, so there are no excuses.
“We have expectations as a club – we want to get back to European football, get back to cup finals and semi-finals.
“That’s our target, like it is every season.
“With no disrespect to other clubs, we think we are a big team and want to be competing in the top four minimum.
“Our home record was great last season but it was obviously the away games we need to work on.
“There are other teams who will be making a challenge as well, such as Kilmarnock.
“They had an excellent season last term and I am sure they will have another one again.
“But no game is easy. It will be harder and tougher this year. The league is getting harder and better.”
Hearts were knocked out of the Betfred Cup last season in the group stage, which ended Cathro’s reign as gaffer.
And after a two-point deduction this season for fielding an ineligible player, Berra was relieved to see his team make to the knockout stages.
He added: “It went down to the wire with what happened at Cove.
“So the pressure was on us but we managed to produce on the day. We have Dunfermline away in the next stage which will be tough.
“We are just looking forward to the season really. There has been a big turnaround in players. It will take time for us to gel and get used to each other.
“It is great to have competition and have a lot of experienced bodies there to help us throughout a long and tough season.”
Callumn Morrison was one of the players that impressed the Hearts captain during pre-season.
The 19-year-old midfielder scored nine goals last term while out on loan at Stirling and Brechin and featured in all four Betfred Cup matches.
Berra said: “Callumn is something different. Last season we did not really have any pace in the team.
“This season we definitely have pace. If I was a full-back, Callumn would be a bit of a nightmare to face because he never stops.
“He is fast and when he gets the ball he always wants to turn you and get a shot in.
“But he is only 19, he will have ups and downs. If he just works hard and shows that good character he will have a chance.”
Hearts open up the league campaign away to Hamilton tomorrow and Berra is braced for a tough time. He said: “Firstly it’s always hard there and secondly you never know what is going to happen on the first day of the season.
“The first game of the season can spring a lot of shocks. It will be tough and we will be prepared.”