 Hearts full-back Jason Thomson is not a fan of the split in the SPL but is pleased to see that Hearts have secured another Edinburgh derby and two more games against the Old Firm. The Jambos left it late to secure their status in the top half of the top flight with St Johnstone breathing down their necks and finishing just three points adrift. The vagaries of the split mean that the Saints could earn the points that could have seen them end the season in the top five while remaining in seventh place. Thomson said: "I heard on the radio St Johnstone could get enough points to be in Europe but not actually get in Europe because of the split. It doesn't really work, I don't think. But from a player's point of view, if you're playing against the top teams - that's what you want to do. You want to play against the top teams in Rangers and Celtic, and obviously we've got another derby, so it's good for the fans as well." The Jambos final fixtures could hardly have worked out better as we will stay in Edinburgh after Sunday's game against Rangers and play Hibs at Easter Road. Thomson said: "We only need to really leave Edinburgh once (tomorrow). Then we've got three home games, against Motherwell, Dundee United and Celtic. So I think the fixtures favour us." There is still the chance of European football next season if hearts can take full advantage of staying at home. Thomson is even eyeing arch-rivals Hibs, who appeared uncatchable two months ago but are now just six points ahead in fourth place. The 22-year-old said: "If we overtake them, we're probably going to get in Europe as well.." As well as spoiling Hibs' European ambitions, Thomson is eager to be a party pooper at Ibrox on Sunday. Should Celtic drop points against Hibs today, Rangers would have the chance to wrap up the title in front of their own fans. Thomson said: "We'll go there and try to get the win; you don't want to be there when they're celebrating winning the title, so we want to stop that." Hearts will be heavy underdogs this weekend but their last visit to Ibrox in January proved they are not to be taken lightly. Despite having Christian Nade sent off, they took a shock lead and were only undone by a stoppage-time equaliser from Andrew Little. Thomson said: "We were unlucky not to get the win. We went down to 10 men and they got the goal. That's what good teams do. They play to the end and they score last-gasp goals." |