Robbie Neilson has told his Hearts squad to 'pull their fingers out' after a dismal 2-0 defeat to St Mirren at Tynecastle saw them fall below third place in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since Christmas.
Goals from Mark O'Hara and Curtis Main saw the Buddies race into a 2-0 lead in the capital city, before Robert Snodgrass' red card wrapped up a miserable 11 minute spell for Neilson's side, with the result marking a fifth loss in six Premiership games - the only anomaly coming at home to St Johnstone.
Aberdeen's win over Kilmarnock has now seen Barry Robson's side up to third in the table, with the Jambos now only four points ahead of sixth-placed rivals Hibs having played a game more. And Neilson was not happy with the performance, adding that he was 'bitterly disappointed' with the performance as he berated the manner of St Mirren's goals.
He said: "First of all, I'm just bitterly disappointed. We had opportunities to score goals, didn't take them, and then lost two very, very poor goals.
"One was the ball over the top, and the other as we knew would happen, was a set play. We didn't compete in those two areas today, so I'm bitterly, bitterly disappointed.
"We need to get our finger out, work hard this week, look each other in the mirror and say 'what are we going to do here'.
On the fan unrest, Neilson didn't shy away, adding: "It's part and parcel. The fans pay their money, they expect better and they deserve better. For me it's about building this team and getting us back going again.
"We've had some brilliant nights this season, but we're going through a difficult period at the moment. We have to stick together and fight through it."
Neilson was booed off at full-time, with fans making their thoughts on his current spell clear.
With Aberdeen heading above the Jambos, there is perhaps a comparison to be had between Neilson's current dip in form and Jim Goodwin's slump which saw him sacked as Dons boss.
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