Hearts head coach Ian Cathro has backed Conor Sammon to bounce back from a difficult afternoon at Tynecastle as he described the striker as an important member of his squad.
Cathro played down the prospect of the Irishman joining Dundee United on loan and declared he would instead be going to the other end of the street when Hearts play Dundee on Friday night.
Sammon was a particular target of the Tynecastle boo boys when Hearts were held by Partick Thistle on Saturday and even received ironic cheers when he won a header after coming on as a half-time substitute.
But Cathro has not felt the need to build up his confidence this week.
Cathro said: "If that's a weak player, then it's hard. If it's Conor, then it's fine.
"He's a strong player, he's a very focused guy, he is a top professional. His work every single day has been exemplary.
"There is no out-call for him to need support, because, trust me, he is fine. He is a strong guy and an important player.
"He has trained very well. Everyone has done good work this morning, Conor being one of them. Strong people are okay."
United are understood to have made an enquiry over taking Sammon on loan, but a move does not appear imminent.
Cathro said: "There is nothing there. I can probably understand it from their point of view, if that's the type of player they are looking for, then okay."
Sammon was not the only person to feel the demands of the Hearts fans on Saturday. Cathro also took stick over his substitutions and his home debut ended in a chorus of boos, but he vowed to change the chants to a more positive hue.
"I'm very comfortable with that because it's entirely in line with my own expectations," the 30-year-old said.
"Maybe slightly surprised, perhaps, but it's a situation which is fine. It's understandable. We are not happy when we don't get we want in life.
"It's our job, all of us, collectively, to resolve that. That's something which I say completely calmly and clearly.
"I'm quite pleased that is the case. We don't want to feel comfortable or relaxed. We want an edge in the stadium. We want that edge on our side and we have got the responsibility for that. The fans also play their part in reacting to what we give them. We give them the right things, then we look forward to what they give us."
Source: PA
