Neilson aiming to be best of the rest for second season running
Hearts boss keen to end 18- year wait for back- to- back third- place finishes
HEARTS manager Robbie Neilson has acknowledged that finishing third in the cinch Premiership for a second straight season would be a significant achievement. History determines that fulfilling such a feat is rare; Hearts have only done it once – in 2004 – since the turn of the Millennium.
A gruelling European schedule that was compounded by an extensive injury list has also made the task even harder after playing a total of eight games in continental competition during the early part of the campaign.
Neilson, however, believes Hearts can now flourish with their focus almost fully on the league as they try to emulate last season’s third- place finish.
They are one point adrift of Aberdeen in that position ahead of tomorrow’s Christmas Eve clash at Dundee United, although the Dons have played one more game.
“Is this a chance to pick up momentum? Definitely,” said Neilson. “We have two games [ against United and St Johnstone] and a derby [ against Hibernian].
“The derby is massive for us but we need to get through these two games first and put ourselves in a good position – not just in the league but mentality- wise and positivity- wise.
“It’s been a long time since Hearts have finished back- to- back third. I think it was 2004 the last time we did. 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 that if we can be around third when we come out of Europe then we have a chance.
“We’ve managed to do that so now we’ve had the experience of
playing all these games together, difficult games, and getting through them then hopefully getting back to Saturday- Saturday will see the best of us.”
Neilson is planning to freshen up his squad in January, with players set to come and go.
Japanese forward Yutaro Oda has been linked with Hearts in a move from Vissel Kobe, reports in his homeland stating a deal is all but complete pending the approval of a work permit. Neilson, however, would not be drawn on the 21- year- old.
He added: “I won’t speak about individual players but we have a number we are looking at going into the January window.
“Two or three will move and two or three will come in as well. We need to freshen things up and hopefully at the end of the window be in a better position. We are
looking at every position and what’s available.
“There will be interest in some of our players I’d expect as well. We will make a decision as we go along.”
A £ 3million windfall from competing in the Europa Conference League will certainly help facilitate the signing of new players.
“Look, the fans have been outstanding, the money they are putting in through the Foundation of Hearts,” said Neilson.
“And the revenue from Europe has made a big difference to us.
“But the key is can we do it again and again? That’s when you really start to move away from everyone else. This season we added a bit more to the budget because we had so many games. Hopefully next season we can do the same with Europe and keep building the club.”
We said at the start that if we can be around third when we come out of Europe then we have a chance