Neilson urges his side to build on Rangers display
HEARTS manager Robbie Neilson has urged his players to build on their best performance of the season when they take on Dundee this weekend.
Neilson was delighted with his team’s output in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Rangers at Tynecastle but his only grievance was that they failed to take any of their chances in a pulsating match.
Hearts had more shots at goal and more on target than their opponents and also had the lions’ share of possession.
But they were undone by two ruthless strikes from Alfredo Morelos and Joe Aribo.
Hearts remain third in the Premiership ahead of the trip to Dens Park and Neilson insists what his players gave him on Sunday tempered his disappointment at taking nothing from the game.
He said: “We were disappointed not to take anything from the game, we played really well and created a lot of chances but the difference was that Rangers took two chances and we didn’t take ours and if we’re not going to take them in games like that then we’re not going to win games.
“But all in all the performance was probably the best we’ve played this season.
“This is what being at Hearts is all about, full stadium, big games intensity and on another day we score two or three.
“We almost dominated the game but didn’t have that final moment.
“I thought on the balance of the game we controlled most of the possession and for me it shows that we’re here to compete at that level, we want to compete against Rangers and Celtic and not look behind us.
“But now we need to focus on Dundee and be ready for that. It’s all about Dundee, the Rangers game is done and we’ll try and get a result.”
Hearts fans, meanwhile, will not get a chance to quiz chair Ann Budge nor the board on club affairs today at the AGM after the Gorgie outfit confirmed that only formal business will be dealt with due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant.
The meeting, which has also been switched from a suite inside the stadium to the main stand, is expected to take no longer than 15 minutes.
The club, however, hopes to engage with shareholders in person early next year if safe to do so.
A club spokesperson said: “The presentation and Q&A element of the AGM will be held before the end of January, in person if restrictions allow or virtually depending on the COVID situation at that time.
“The rapid onset and spread of the variant means we have been unable to put in place a virtual solution that would allow the interactivity we know is an important part of the meeting in time for Thursday.
“We will be working on the best technical solution for this as a matter of urgency, however the preference will be to hold this meeting in person before the end of January – if it is safe to do so.
“This decision was not taken lightly and we very much look forward to sharing the presentations and having an open dialogue with shareholders in January. We appreciate your understanding and hope you and your families stay safe.”