Brown plays down pursuit of Rangers

17 February 2011 14:30

Assistant manager Billy Brown admits Hearts are more interested in wrapping up third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League than closing the gap on Rangers.

Leaders Celtic and second-placed Rangers, who are five points clear of Hearts albeit with games in hand, meet on Sunday but although the deficit to one half of the Old Firm could be cut by the end of the weekend, Brown is only thinking about third place.

"We're not looking at that," said Brown, with Hearts' recent losses coming at Celtic and Rangers. "All we're interested in at the moment is trying to nail this third place."

He added: "The quicker we can do that the better and we can then view other things after that.

"We're just concentrating on Dundee United."

United's match with bottom club Hamilton was postponed last night and they have played at least two and up to four fewer games than the rest of the teams in the SPL.

But Brown pointed out even if Peter Houston's side win their four games in hand, United would still be 10 points adrift of Hearts.

Brown added: "For us to beat them on Saturday would be a big blow to them."

Hearts are 15 points clear of fourth-placed Kilmarnock and seemingly have third place within their grasp.

Brown said: "The position we're in you can only throw it away, but you've got to keep winning. Until you do it, you can't take anything for granted."

Source: PA