We’d have lost that a month ago

Craig Levein reckons his fragile Jambos are on the road to recovery after admitting they would probably have lost this game last month.

The Hearts gaffer was pleased to see his side dig deep and grind out a draw against Partick Thistle at Firhill yesterday after spending much of the game on the back foot.

Undefeated since the former Scotland manager took charge of the Tynecastle team, with two draws and a win so far, he feels the self belief in his side steadily growing – although he admits their rehabilitation is still a work in progress.

Levein said: “We are not at the stage yet where I can feel completely comfortable about how we’re playing.

“I’m much happier with how we’re working, the effort the players are putting in and our fitness.

“We can see the sports science data every day and it’s clear to us that the effort and application are getting better all the time.

“Maybe this is a game we’d have lost four weeks ago. I just know that we didn’t lose it in the here and now.

“It was a tough match and I didn’t think either team dominated for any length of time in this game. It swung back and forward.

“I was pleased with the resilience we showed – and I was hoping that resilience might extent to us nicking a winner at the end.

“That would have been harsh on Partick Thistle – but I wouldn’t really have cared much about that!

“We were definitely pushing to get a second goal towards the end of the game but a draw was probably a fair result on the balance of play.

“Overall, I have to be pleased because it’s another away match out of the road and we have taken a point from it.”