Stephen Kingsley reckons Hearts can be silent assassins in their bid to land silverware this season.
The Gorgie men finished Saturday afternoon top of the Premiership after extending their impressive unbeaten run to 10 matches.
But Kingsley admits there was a huge sense of disappointment after Jason Cummings had pegged them back in a 1-1 draw against Dundee.
The hush that fell over the dressing room after the full-time whistle was an indication that the result felt like a defeat to Robbie Neilson ’s men.
Kingsley insists that is proof of the rise in standards that sees the Tynecastle outfit chase a sixth win of the campaign tonight against St Johnstone as they try to keep up the pressure on Rangers, who returned to the top with a win on Sunday.
The 27-year-old said: “Saturday was a massive disappointment. It was quiet in the changing room and it wasn’t a nice place to be.
“We drew, it wasn’t a defeat but it felt like it. To have a performance like that and not have a clinical edge and end product stung.
“It was such a poor goal to give away. That resulted in a really low atmosphere after the game.
“It’s the standards we all hold ourselves to. It’s set by the gaffer and coaching staff because we know we should be winning these games.
“It’s part and parcel of the season, there are going to be days like that and we must be ready for them. Now we’ve got another game to put it right.”
Hearts have not won in the league away to St Johnstone in 11 years, a run stretching back to November 2010.
Kingsley is adamant the current squad can put that record in the past.
He said: “I knew from speaking to the boys in the changing room that the record wasn’t great up there.
“It’s such a massive game for us at a place we’ve not had much success at in the past.
“I’ve not been here during that time and neither have a lot of the boys in the changing room, so we’ll still go there full of confidence.
“I know it’s going to be a tough place to go and a tough team to play against but we’ll be going there full of belief and hopefully we get the win.
“We can’t think about what’s happened in the past. You just need to focus on this game coming up and what we need to do to win.”
Neilson admits Liam Boyce is a serious doubt with a calf injury and will leave the final decision on whether he plays to the player.
The Northern Ireland star has bagged 10 goals in 15 appearances this term but limped off against Dundee.
Neilson said: “Liam did a wee bit on Tuesday. He didn’t train with the full team and we’ll see him again on Wednesday.
“The big thing I spoke to him about is making sure he’s at it.
“We’ve got a good squad here and if you’re not and you break down you could be out for two or three weeks.
“So the decision will come down to Liam.”
