Kingsley dreaming of playing Premiership football at a packed Tynecastle
The prospect of Hearts playing Premiership football in front of their fans again may well become reality in just a few months’ time. It is a huge incentive for players and staff entering the final ten games of the season.
Robbie Neilson's men travel to Inverness for tonight’s live match in front of the BBC Scotland
television cameras seeking to extend their 11-point lead at the top of the Championship table to 14.
Defender Stephen Kingsley knows that the quicker they rack up points, the quicker they can look forward to what represents something of a holy grail: Premiership football at a bustling Tynecastle.
“That’s been the incentive the whole season, to get this club back to the Premiership,” explained Kingsley, who last month extended his contract to stay with Hearts for next season.
“That's the first step to getting us back to the top end of the Premiership. Everyone's going to look forward to having the fans back.
“Me personally, hopefully if we can get over the line this season and get the fans back, it's something I'd be really looking forward to. Hopefully we can complete the first stage of that and get promoted.”
Kingsley is one of several players signed by Hearts since last summer still waiting to play in front of the home support.“it’sdefinitelyaregret.it’s something I knew a lot about,” he added. “Coming into the club that was something I was really looking forward to. It’s not been the case so far, but hopefully in the future I’ll be able to experience it.”
Aberdeen boss Derek Mcinnes claims Celtic's struggle to keep pace with Rangers cannot be pinned solely on Neil Lennon.
Lennon resigned this week after defeat by Ross County left the Premiership champions 18 points adrift of their Old Firm rivals at the top of the table.
Mcinnes takes his team to Celtic Park tomorrow and is disappointed not to be facing Lennon, who won the first five domestic trophies on offer during his second spell in charge.
"I class Neil as a friend and a colleague and we have been well-versed to playing against each other both as player and manager," he said. "He is someone I have a high regard for.
"It's really disappointing to see any manager lose his job but I know how important the Celtic job is and was to Neil.
"What has to be said is he is a very successful Celtic manager. Sometimes in the here and now, particularly in Neil's case this season, he has been a bit of a punchbag for others and
he has had to take a lot on the chin, and a lot of criticism has come his way.
"I think when you see the difference points-wise Celtic to
Rangers, it's more than a manager at fault there if people are blaming anybody.
"Time will be kind to Neil. It might not be that now because a lot of people got themselves into a real state this season, the 10-in-a-row thing comes into that, but Neil has been a very successful manager in both spells.”
Lennon had come under serious criticism from fans and Mcinnes himself recently faced pressure which prompted his chairman to give him the board's public backing.
A 1-0 win over Killie last Saturday ended a run of six goalless performances and kept the Dons five points behind Hibs in the race for third.
Mcinnes knows he will have to continue living with criticism and feels it is getting more prevalent in the modern game. "We can't do anything about that," he said. "When you sign up to be a manager you have to expect a level of criticism that comes your way when your team don't win.
"But it is outside pressure, that's what you have to keep reminding yourself. The job is still to work closely with your players and get your club as competitive as possible."