Robbie Neilson has brushed off questions over his Hearts future with a quip over the gap between themselves and second place.
The Jambos can move 15 points clear at the top of the Championship by beating Dundee tomorrow.
They also need to halt a run of three successive draws in which they’ve fallen behind in recent weeks.
Neilson has come in for stick despite being on course to secure a comfortable return to the top flight at the first time of asking.
Ann Budge was forced to field questions over whether his job was safe - she confirmed it absolutely was - but Neilson accepts it comes with the territory.
He said: "It's part and parcel of football nowadays. I'm just pleased that we're 12 points ahead and not ten! It's the way football is and you just have to take it on the chin sometimes.
“People ask questions. We're off the back of six undefeated; three wins and three draws so from our perspective it's not been the best of periods but still one in which we've picked up a number of points and are sitting in a good position."
As well as the Championship title, Neilson is relishing another crack at the Scottish Cup.
The Scottish Government gave the green light to Leagues One and two to resume playing, which means the nation’s premier cup competition can be played to a finish.
Hearts have reached the last two finals, agonisingly losing December's showpiece showdown with Celtic on penalties.
Brora Rangers have to be taken care of in the third round before they can look to their third round meeting with Stranraer, but Neilson is just delighted they’ll get the chance to try and go one step further and banish recent Hampden heartaches.
He added: “I’m delighted to see the Scottish Cup and Leagues One and Two come back. I think it’s brilliant for everyone.
“Being in the final the last couple of years and getting closer and closer to winning it, we’d like to take that final step this year.
“We have a tough game up at Brora, it will be logistically difficult to get up there, playing against a team who haven’t played or trained for a long time, so it’s difficult to see what they are going to do or be like.
“And then we’ll need to move games about if we do progress.
“But from League One and Two’s perspective it’s great, I have spoken to a few coaches and managers the last few days because we have a number of young players out on loan.
“It will be great to see them back playing again and we can hopefully see things moving forward.
“I think it’s important to have the Scottish Cup final in May, I have always seen it as the final day of the season, with a carnival atmosphere and a full house at Hampden.
“I know it’s not going to be that way this year.
“But we are gearing up to go there, I think it’s important the season is put to bed, and then you can focus on the next one.“
