Craig Levein has called for optimism at Hearts, but that isn’t really what some Jambos fans want to hear right now.
In the wake of their 3-1 defeat to Celtic, the Jambos boss has said that they are on the cusp of becoming a really good team.
He told the Edinburgh Evening News: “My message to the players after the game was: We’re nearly a really good side. Everybody just needs to do a wee bit more and we will take off.
I’ve been here loads of times and lost by three, four and five goals. I felt we had a really good chance this time after our performance against Motherwell in the Betfred Cup.
“We will do analysis over the next few days and I know there will be lots of really good things in it.”
Hearts fans want results now not optimism for the future
With the squad of players Levein has now, Hearts have a very good squad. With the right guidance it is arguably the best in Scotland outwith Celtic and Rangers.
They have a great blend of youth with the likes of Aaron Hickey and Andy Irving thriving right now. They also have some good experience with international players like Glenn Whelan, Christophe Berra and Steven Naismith.
Injuries haven’t helped them. Michael Smith was another name added to the injury list at the weekend after he hobbled off with a hamstring injury.
That leaves the Northern Irishman, Steven Naismith, John Souttar, Peter Haring and Jamie Walker all on the sidelines.
Once they are all fully fit, Levein has a very strong squad. It is capable of pushing for third, but something just hasn’t clicked in the league so far this year. They have won just four times.
It’s why fans don’t want to hear about hope for the future. With the squad they have, supporters quite rightly want results now instead of promises they’ll eventually arrive.
Levein must figure out a way to get his side firing.