Rudi Skacel is confident Hearts can improve next season - but the midfielder knows they first have to ensure their impressive campaign does not fizzle out.
Hearts are 13 points ahead in third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, despite losing to fourth-placed Kilmarnock at the weekend.
Skacel said: "We have a young squad and so many are playing their first season, they can definitely improve and Hearts can be stronger next season."
Manager Jim Jefferies is already looking ahead to strengthening his squad - recently holding talks with Kilmarnock midfielder Mehdi Taouil over a summer move and visiting owner Vladimir Romanov in Lithuania at the weekend for talks on transfer targets.
And Skacel, who is confident of shaking off an Achilles problem to face Dundee United at Tannadice, feels young players like David Templeton and Craig Thomson can hit even greater heights next term.
Skacel was part of the last Hearts team to win a trophy, playing in the 2006 Scottish Cup final win over Gretna, but he dismissed questions over whether the current side could emulate their past achievements.
The Czech Republic international said: "I don't want to compare the teams, you can't compare the teams," he said. "We had great players, experienced players and at this point you can't compare them. There is still a big difference.
"I don't think these young guys know what happened here five or six years ago, they can't imagine the atmosphere after the Scottish Cup.
"It's past, it's a nice history for Hearts but we have to look forward. We have a young team and have to help this young team to grow.
"I believe next season can be better because we are out of the Scottish Cup, it was a big disappointment because it was the chance to go to the semi-final or final."
Source: PA
