Neilson echoes Pressley's ambitions
Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson has welcomed former skipper Steven Pressley's assertion that his team are genuine title challengers.
But Neilson is adamant that no-one within Tynecastle is getting carried away by their flying start to the Ladbrokes Premiership season.
Hearts have won all four games since returning to top-flight action and can maintain top spot by beating Partick Thistle at Tynecastle on Saturday.
That start and the club's summer recruitment prompted Pressley to declare that Hearts could push Celtic all the way and Neilson is happy that his former team-mate and others are talking the club up.
"It's a good thing because it obviously shows we are doing well," he said.
"But we are not getting carried away in here. The fans and papers can do what they want but it's up to us to stay composed and continue to work hard and do the right things.
"We have a good group of players who work hard and come in every day and want to improve personally and as a team so that's not going to cause any issues at all.
"It's great for the club that we are being spoken about again. We had a couple of difficult years and now we are pushing forward and it's great but realistically we are a long way from where we want to be.
"We are only four games into the season so we need to be realistic about where we are. It's good to have won four games but we have a difficult game on Saturday and we need to keep doing what we are doing and working hard."
Hearts midfielder Prince Buaben will be available when the leaders welcome Partick Thistle to Tynecastle on Saturday.
Buaben has recovered from the knock that forced him off against Ross County last weekend.
Miguel Pallardo (Achilles), Blazej Augustyn (hernia) and Soufian El Hassnaoui (knee) remain on the sidelines.
Liam Lindsay is suspended for Partick's visit. The Jags defender was sent off in last week's 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock at Firhill.
Mathias Pogba is still struggling with a hamstring problem while captain Abdul Osman (foot) and Stevie Lawless (knock) are also doubts.
Alan Archibald is looking for his Partick Thistle side to be inspired by Tynecastle on Saturday when they take on unbeaten Hearts.
Thistle are still looking for their first victory of the season, albeit they have drawn three out of their first four matches, losing only to champions Celtic.
Archibald admits the task confronting them in Gorgie is "massive" but wants his players to relish appearing in what is recognised as one of Scottish football's most atmospheric stadiums.
"Hearts are in full flow, they are flying," said the Jags boss. "Everything at that club at the moment is going well on and off the park.
"They have strengthened really well. They look ever so strong.
"But that's great for us. We have to take it on and enjoy it. I don't know one player who doesn't enjoy going there. It is a great atmosphere to go and play your football in.
"It feels as if the fans are right on top of you and I think it gets the best out of most players."
Source: PAR
