Toby Sibbick insists a third place Premiership finish isn’t the height of ambition at Hearts as they aim to hunt down Rangers and second spot.
The Jambos defender is convinced a blinkered vision approach to the remainder of the season can bank the victories required with the Ibrox side in their sights despite being 15 points ahead, having played a game more. A trip to Paisley to face St Mirren is the next hurdle for the Tynecastle side which has been buoyed by an impressive derby win over Hibs on Monday - and Sibbick believes the sky’s the limit in the months ahead.
He said: “I know that we have a squad that is more than capable of finishing third and even catching Rangers. That is what our aim is. If you just worry about yourself, everything else will take care of itself. The games come thick and fast and we have another big game against St Mirren.
"If we can win there then we can start to build up a bit of a gap between us and fourth place. The win over Hibs was great but now our full focus is on St Mirren.”
The 23-year-old Englishman has become a mainstay in the Hearts backline during a season where a raft of injuries to key defenders has seen him deployed in a variety of positions and he’s risen to the challenge by cementing his place in the side. A cruciate injury to Craig Halkett is the latest misfortune to hit Robbie Neilson’s squad and Sibbick is adamant any new recruits in the January transfer window will face a battle to oust him from a starting spot.
He said: “When you play for a big club there is obviously always going to be competition for places. I have the shirt now and whoever comes in, they are going to have to try to get it off me.
"But I will keep working hard in training and in games to prove why I should keep it. When you get a run of games it gives you that confidence.
"Now that I’m starting to play a run of games I’m feeling more sharp, I’m making better decisions so I just need to keep going that way.”
One highlight of Sibbick’s display against Hibs was a goal-saving last ditch challenge on Elie Youan moments before half-time and the former Barnsley utility man admits it prompted pats on the back from his team-mates at the break. He said: “If I don’t make that challenge, obviously we’ve still got full faith in Zander Clark to make a save, but he’s got a lot of time to pick his spot.
"Just as I made the tackle he shot so luckily I got the block in at just the right time. Of course that’s what you want to do as a defender.
"You want to win games and keep clean sheets. I was happy I was able to make the tackle and it’s always great to get the three points.
“I just need to keep training hard and keep playing hard and then it is up to the gaffer. We have a good squad and the level of competition for places is high, so I have to work hard and try to keep my place.”
READ NEXT
