No excuses this season – Berra

Hearts captain Christophe Berra admits there are no excuses this season as they look to get back into the top four.

Hearts sacked head coach Ian Cathro at this stage a year ago before moving Craig Levein into the manager’s role several weeks into the Ladbrokes Premiership season.

They suffered more upheaval with a delayed return to a redeveloped Tynecastle, difficulties with the pitch, a major mid-season squad transition and injury crises.

But Levein now has a full team of new players to supplement his squad and Berra knows they have to get back to challenging for European football after fifth and sixth-placed finishes.

“We have not got any excuses,” the Scotland defender said.

“Last year with the manager going, playing at Murrayfield, a few problems with the stadium and all that stuff, that’s all done now.

“We have a new pitch which is really good, the stadium is more or less done, we have a settled manager and invested in the squad. So there’s no excuses. It’s down to the players to turn up and perform.

And Berra is sure they can hit the ground running despite major changes in the squad.

“It’s a good set of lads and hopefully we will have strength in depth and competition,” said the former Wolves and Ipswich star.