ROBBIE Neilson tonight urged his Hearts players not to dwell on the 5-0 rout of Aberdeen at Tynecastle that sent them seven points clear of Livingston in the cinch Premiership table.
A Josh Ginnelly double and goals from Michael Smith, Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin secured three points for the third-placed capital club.
Neilson felt that his charges produced one of their best displays of the 2022/23 campaign against Jim Goodwin’s men.
However, he wants Hearts to focus fully on the Scottish Cup fourth round match against their Edinburgh rivals Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday.
“We are delighted with the result,” he said. “We started well and got the goals at good times.
“I didn’t think Aberdeen were tired. They started well, but we got the goals at good times. The team has been very resilient this season, we have had a lot of games and a lot of injuries.
“It’s three points. That’s all that matters and it’s all about the derby now. They got a quick pat on the back and it’s on to Sunday now.”
Neilson added: “Was that the best performance? I thought we played exceptionally well in the Zurich game (in the Europa League play-off in August).
“We were on the front foot, aggressive and won the ball high up the pitch in that game. I thought that was similar tonight and when you do that you get the crowd behind you.
“But it doesn’t really mean anything, it’s just three points. They beat us up there and we have beat them here, so it’s even-Steven now. At Hearts you are expected to win every game.
“All eyes are on the derby now, it’s pivotal to the season because we want to get a result and kick on.”
Neilson singled out Shankland, who has donned the captain’s armband since Craig Gordon suffered a double leg break last month, for special praise after the striker netted his 19th goal of the season from the penalty spot.
“Shanks has been brilliant for us,” he said. “It’s not just his goals, but the way he leads the line as well.”
