DJOUM DOUBTS STYLE UNDER CATHRO

ARNAUD DJOUM has admitted Ian Cathro’s style of play wasn’t conducive to winning points in Scottish football. The Cameroon international midfielder also revealed the former Rio Ave, Valencia and Newcastle United assistant had not returned to say goodbye to his squad after his sacking on Tuesday morning. Djoum now expects Hearts to play more effective football under caretaker boss Jon Daly than the approach favoured by the doomed Cathro. ‘We didn’t see Ian after (his sacking),’ nodded Djoum. ‘When he was here, we tried to give everything and to play how he wanted to play. ‘But I don’t know if it was the way to play for this league. ‘If the new gaffer wants to play more direct football, maybe that is better to get points. He has already changed our style to a 4-1-4-1.’ Djoum vowed to put his own future on hold while he helps rescue Hearts from their crisis-hit present. Already out of the Betfred Cup, the managerless Tynecastle side kicked off the new league season on Saturday with a 4-1 filleting at Celtic Park. Djoum admitted after the recent Confederations Cup that he wants to move away from Edinburgh to ‘one of Europe’s top five leagues’. However, with Hearts in the mire, the 28-year-old hopes to pay back the fans for their support since he joined from Polish side Lech Poznan in 2015. ‘When I speak about my future, it only takes my focus off football,’ he said. ‘So, for the moment, I just want to focus on my performances for Hearts. ‘I’ve had a great experience since joining Hearts and the supporters think a lot of me. ‘I want to pay them back by focusing on what happens on the pitch — not my future. I want to put in good performances and help Hearts get good results.’ Djoum opted to sidestep the storm that Brendan Rodgers caused when the Celtic boss spoke about Cathro’s dismissal and publicly questioned Hearts’ recruitment. ‘Personally, I didn’t hear about it,’ added Djoum. ‘I’ve been trying not to look at social media. I am only focusing on football. We are all just focused on trying to play the best we can for this club. ‘We have important games coming up and they will be away from home while work is being done at Tynecastle. ‘We want to get as many points as we possibly can and I think in our next games the results will be better.’