The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Hearts fail to step up the pressure
KILMARNOCK v HEARTS
Hearts’ hopes of a Europa League berth suffered another setback last night as they were held to a drab 0-0 draw at Rugby Park.
Ian Cathro’s team were hoping to apply some pressure to rivals St Johnstone as they prepare for the Ladbrokes Premiership’s run-in.
But their toothless display in Ayrshire means the Perth men could open up a seven-point lead in the race for fourth place if they beat Aberdeen today.
Jambos chairwoman Ann Budge issued a statement in midweek which branded press coverage of Cathro’s four-anda-half-month reign “ludicrous’ – but even she would have been hard pressed to defend the team’s meek display.
Killie battled well for their point but Lee McCulloch will feel they probably should have walked away with the win with Kris Boyd spurning two decent stoppage-time chances.
It was another frustrating away day for the Gorgie men, who have won just three league games outside of the capital all season.
In the 21 games since Cathro took over, they have managed just five wins and the rookie head coach confessed that miserable run is beginning to affect his players.
He said: “There is a wee bit of vulnerability, a wee bit of low confidence and we saw some of those things towards the end of the Dundee game on Saturday and tonight as well.
“But the positive thing is we have got through both of those situations and not conceded. That’s important for the players.
“The feeling after tonight though is one of disappointment that we have not taken our chance to win the game.”