Neilson sets sights high as Hearts aim to match Burley's record

Robbie Neilson has praised his Hearts players for their strong start to the league but says they have to keep their sights high if they are to have a successful season.

After playing everyone once, the Tynecastle side have yet to taste defeat in the Premiership and currently sit third in the table, just three points behind leaders Rangers.

Hearts travel to Tynecastle on Saturday knowing that they could equal the 12-match unbeaten run set by George Burley’s side in 2005 and not matched since.

Neilson reflected on the opening period of the season and said he was satisfied but felt there could have been a better points return.

“I think the boys have done very well to go through the games undefeated,” he said.

“There’s a tinge of disappointment that we didn’t pick up as many points as we probably deserved to, especially in the latter number of games where we’ve drawn a few.

“It’s a good achievement but it starts again tomorrow.”

The unbeaten start has led to talk from some people of a sustained title challenge. While Neilson noted the difficulties in keeping in touch at the top over 38 games, he was clear that setting high targets was the best way to achieve things.

“Our aspirations are to be at the top end of the league,” he said. “We all know the way Scottish football is, and the disparity in finances. It’s difficult to get there.

“But our aim has got to be to try an be there. If we just aim for middle of the road then we’ll get middle of the road.

“So we’ve got to aim for that end. It’s going to be very difficult but we would like to be there.”