Skip to content

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson keen to end season on a winning note

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Rangers travel to Hearts where the home side will parade their trophy on the last game of the Scottish Championship season

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson says Rangers can expect no favours from his side as they aim to end their title-winning season on a winning note.

The Jambos take on Stuart McCall's side in the final match of the campaign at Tynecastle on Saturday with the visitors in search of a victory which could aid their chances of joining them in the top flight.

Hearts secured their place among Scotland's finest when wrapping up the title in record time before Easter but Rangers' destination is out of their hands after last week's home draw with Falkirk left them trailing Hibs by one point in the race for the runners-up spot.

Victory for Hearts' city rivals at Falkirk on Saturday would leave Rangers needing to negotiate three two-legged matches to have any chance of playing Premiership football but Neilson insists his focus is purely on his side ahead of the Sky Live showpiece.

I don't think the pressure will be off us on Saturday, I think it is on both teams.
Robbie Neilson

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, the former Hearts full-back said: "I don't think the pressure will be off us on Saturday, I think it is on both teams.

"We are getting the trophy after the game and we want to put on a good performance, get the three points and keep the atmosphere right through the game so that when we do lift the trophy at the end everyone is in good spirits.

"We have to go and put on a performance. It's going to be a full house for us with fans coming from all over the world to watch the game so we have to make sure we put on a performance for them." 

Live SPFL Football

And Neilson refused to be drawn on which team he believes will join Hearts in the top flight next year, insisting the race for promotion is 'wide open'.

"I don't think there is a clear favourite," he added. "It is a really difficult play-off to get through. If you finish third or fourth you have a lot of games to play... and obviously you have a Premiership team to play who could be on form.

"Look at last year when Hamilton had a lot of momentum after getting into the play-offs on the last day of the season.

"They carried that throuhgh to the Hibs game and managed to turn over a deficit from the first game. You can't tell, it's all about what happens on the day. The pressure is huge on teams in these games."

The players we are looking at are looking at other clubs and other clubs are looking at them as well.
Robbie Neilson on Hearts' targets

Asked if he would have to add to his squad during the summer to bolster the players who strolled to the title, Neilson added: "I have already identified quite a few. 

"We know what we are after but it's just a case of trying to get them in. It can be difficult at this time of year.

"The players we are looking at are looking at other clubs and other clubs are looking at them as well. It will take a bit of time but I'd like to get things sorted as soon as possible."

Watch Hearts take on Rangers at Tynecastle from midday on Saturday live on Sky Sports 5  

Around Sky