Toby Sibbick has suggested that the last Hearts squad he was part of may have had "too many egos."
The 22-year-old had a previous spell at Tynecastle, on loan from Barnsley, two years ago, before joining permanently this January.
Daniel Stendel's men were in a relegation battle as the centre back made just two appearances due to illness and injury before Covid struck.
Asked what is different about the atmosphere around the club, the Englishman insists Robbie Neilson's squad is much more united this time around.
“A lot has changed,” he said. “A couple of years ago, I don’t know if there were too many egos or whatever but I don’t think everyone was together.
“A lot of faces have come out and a lot of new ones have come in. I do feel that the dressing room is more united than it was a couple of years ago.
“I’ve been in those relegation fights for almost my whole career apart from one season, and it’s obviously tough.
“Especially if you go 1-0 down. It's almost a psychological thing that you're going to lose the game. It’s hard to get back into it.
“That’s how it was last time and when you're down there, it’s easy to blame everyone else apart from yourself.
“But it’s a much better place to be now.”
