YOU’RE NOT ON HOLIDAY YETLADS
Neilson demands full focus on Cup Final
ROBBIE NEILSON has warned his Hearts squad there will be no pre-Hampden holiday camp as they look to keep the foot down ahead of the Scottish Cup Final.
The Jambos have already sealed third spot in the Premiership but the Gorgie boss has been working his men hard in training this week.
Neilson wants to keep momentum all the way to the showpiece showdown with Rangers in three weeks and is determined there will be no slacking off against Ross County at Tynecastle tomorrow.
Neilson said: “You can’t have that mentality. I’ve seen other teams, they go away for a week’s holiday before a cup final then they get turned over.
“We believe we should do things consistently through the season to make sure we perform.
“We have the final in three weeks but we still need to work hard and make sure it’s not holiday season until we get there.
“The next two weeks will be quite tough then we’ll play Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday through to the final.
“We want to drive the squad forward, get work into the players coming back from injury and make sure that we are as prepared as possible for Hampden.”
Neilson – up for the Manager of the Year award – insists the demands will be the same against the Staggies despite the pressure being off.
He said: “I keep saying it but when you play at Hearts you need to win.
“We’ll have 20,000 fans who have been working hard all week. They expect us to win.
“We’ll need to turn up as we are playing against a very good County team who, outwith ourselves and the Old Firm, are probably one of the best sides in the league.”
Neilson has been impressed with Malky
Mackay’s men this season and admits he hasn’t been surprised by the Highlanders clicking into gear after their shaky start to the campaign.
He said: “Even when they had that spell at the start of the season when they weren’t winning, I always felt they’d get back in it.
“They are creating good chances and when you do that you’ll eventually win.”
Neilson admits it’s nice to be in the running for the gaffer’s gong – but Dick Campbell has his vote after an incredible campaign at Arbroath.
He added: “Dick has had a great season. I know the Championship well and it is a very tough league.
“For him to almost get the title was unbelievable. But to get to the play-offs for them is outstanding. I’d be delighted if Dick got it.”
We want to make sure we are as prepared as possible for Hampden ROBBIE NEILSON ON HIS CUP FINAL PLAN