Souttar demands Hearts hit back after sorry showing at Rugby Park
JOHN SOUTTAR said there was no hiding place for Hearts after a dismal showing at Rugby Park saw them slip up in a bid to claim second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership table.
While Tony Watt and substitute Bjorn Johnsen both spurned simple chances to score, the Tynecastle side produced an oddly flat display on Wednesday night as Kilmarnock ran out deserved 2-0 winners.
Robbie Neilson’s team have rebounded from early season setbacks in both their Europa League and Premiership campaign thus far, and Souttar knows more of the same will be required as they travel to Inverness on Saturday.
While Souttar was far from the worst Hearts player on the night, the defence struggled to cope with the strong running of Nathan Tyson and struggled to get their passing game going in the face of some energetic pressing from the home side.
“I don’t think there is any way we can hide from what happened at Kilmarnock,” said Souttar.
“It wasn’t a good performance. We had chances and didn’t take them, but it was a poor night and not good enough for a Hearts team to go anywhere and play like that. We have set high standards and demand a lot more of ourselves than that.
“If you want to be playing for a bigger team, there is going to be pressure on you and, if you can’t handle it, you have got a problem.
“But it’s done and there is a game coming up at Inverness, so we need to get going again. They are a good side, especially at home.
“I think we have character in the dressing room to bounce back. We have bounced back from bad results this season and you need to because big teams don’t dwell on things. There is nothing we can do about it, so we just need to be positive and move on.”
Souttar, linked this week with Aston Villa, said there had been no discussions with Neilson about his future. “I’ve not spoken to the gaffer about anything,” he said. “I’m just concentrated on playing for Hearts and haven’t thought about anything else.”
Meanwhile, Neilson has backed his misfiring frontmen to shake off their recent goal drought – as long as Hearts keep creating chances.
Hearts’ striking pool of Watt, Conor Sammon, Johnsen and Robbie Muirhead have scored just three Premiership goals between them this term, while last season’s top scorer Juanma has been farmed out on loan to Spanish side UCAM Murcia.
“We had loads of good chances but didn’t take them,” rued Neilson.
“Scoring goals is the hardest thing to do, no matter what anyone says. That’s why strikers get paid the most money.
“It happens and you go through periods when you won’t score many goals. But we need to keep creating.”