Neilson wary of Saints threat
Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson has again set his side the target of winning every game as they return to the top flight.
Neilson's players did an excellent job in meeting his high standards last season, winning nine of their first 10 Championship games to build momentum that led to a sensational title triumph ahead of Rangers and Hibernian.
And now we wants them to maintain their ambitions as they begin their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign at home to St Johnstone on Sunday.
Neilson said: "The target is to win every game. We want to win all the time, we want to try to get in the top six, and we want to have a good run in the cups. That's the target, the players know that and they all agree."
The visit of St Johnstone will provide a good indication of how Hearts might adapt to a higher league.
The Perth side have finished in the top six - and qualified for Europe - in each of the last four seasons and are among the toughest defences to crack in the division.
"It's going to be a huge test," Neilson said.
"It's a difficult game against a strong team in St Johnstone. There's a lot of pressure on us as well. We're at home and the first game brings expectation, but the players are here to handle that."
St Johnstone goalkeeper Alan Mannus believes his position is under serious threat from Zander Clark.
Mannus kept 16 clean sheets last season to help Saints finish fourth, while Clark managed 15 to help Queen of the South finish in the same position in the Championship.
Clark has spent two seasons in Dumfries and had a previous substantial loan spell with Elgin and Mannus feels he has developed into an accomplished top-flight goalkeeper.
The 23-year-old is yet to make his Saints debut, but Mannus feels added competition ahead of Sunday's season opener.
The 33-year-old Northern Ireland international told St Johnstone's YouTube channel: "Zander has been here since I joined the club four years ago, but, to be honest, in pre-season he has impressed me more than anybody.
"We have made some good signings as well and they have impressed me, but Zander has impressed more than anyone.
"I have seen him get better over the last few years, but he went out on loan to Queen of the South and did really well and got so much better.
"He was good anyway, but now he has taken that extra step and he just seems to be the complete goalkeeper. To me, he can do anything that any other goalkeeper in the league can do.
"It's going to be tight between me and him, who gets the nod to play, and we'll both be fighting for first position."
Mannus is looking forward to sampling the Tynecastle atmosphere again as Hearts prepare to unfurl the Championship flag.
"It's a good one for us to start the season because it's probably the ground with the best atmosphere that I have played at in Scotland," Mannus said.
"There's going to be a big crowd for them and we should have a big crowd as well, so it should be a good game."
Source: PAR
