Stevenson: Next two games key

22 February 2010 17:37
Stevenson helped ensure the mini-revival under Jim Jefferies continued on Sunday as the Jambos beat Hamilton 2-0 to cement their hold on sixth place in the Scottish Premier League.[LNB]The last nine days has seen the gap between a number of teams close dramatically in the top half of the table, with Hearts now just nine points behind third-placed Hibernian.[LNB]Full-back Lee Wallace last week insisted Hibs could be caught.[LNB]Midfielder Stevenson was more cautious but reckons Hearts will have a better idea where their ambitions lie after their upcoming games at Aberdeen and Dundee United.[LNB]"I'm not really looking at Hibs or anything really above that," said Stevenson, who signed from Ayr on transfer deadline day.[LNB]"We're just looking at ourselves and doing well, trying to maintain where we are.[LNB]"I think the next two games will be a big test, away to Aberdeen and away to Dundee United.[LNB]"We'll see where we are when we make it through those two games."[LNB]The Hamilton win was Hearts' second in a row since Jefferies returned as manager last month.[LNB]Keeping that run going into next month could hardly be more difficult, with the Jambos facing matches against Motherwell, Hibs and Rangers after the Aberdeen and United games.[LNB]But former Chelsea trainee Stevenson, 25, believes Jefferies and coaches Billy Brown and Gary Locke have given the side renewed confidence about what they can achieve.[LNB]"Him, Billy and Lockey have been excellent," Stevenson said.[LNB]"He's kind of breathed a bit of fresh air into the team and long may that continue."[LNB]Stevenson had a hand in both goals yesterday but he admits he has still to produce his best form in the SPL after spending his entire professional career in the lower leagues.[LNB]"It's been difficult moving up and getting to know the players, obviously, coming from where I came from," he said.[LNB]"I'd been at Ayr for a long time, I knew the place inside out, and it's a bit strange when you come from there to Hearts, a club this size.[LNB]"I obviously wanted to get in and show what I could do as quickly as possible."[LNB]Hearts, who today revealed striker Gary Glen should be fit for Saturday's trip to Pittodrie, have struggled to score goals this season but Stevenson's arrival has co-incided with a more prolific spell.[LNB]Asked if Jefferies had given him any special instructions on that front, he said: "He's just asked me to do what I did at Ayr - that's why I'm here.[LNB]"So I'm not really trying to change anything.[LNB]"Obviously, listening to him and working with the standard of players we've got here is going to make me better.[LNB]"I want to try to get a goal as soon as possible as well to get me settled on that front."[LNB]Hamilton boss Billy Reid insisted Sunday's defeat did not dent his belief his side would avoid relegation this season.[LNB]Rock-bottom Falkirk won on Saturday to close the gap to Accies to just one point but Reid said: "We can't influence other teams.[LNB]"It's what we do and I'm always a believer in that. If it's not good enough then it won't be good enough.[LNB]"But we believe we've got good enough players here to turn this around and to start winning games and we will do that, I guarantee it."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk