 Yesterday's win over Kilmarnock ended the worry over playing out the season in the bottom six of the SPL. Hearts joined Hibs, Celtic, Dundee United, Motherwell and Rangers in the top half of the league and will meet the last named in the first of the post-split games; on Sunday 18 April. The game is on Sky with a 12.30 kick-off. There will be three games played at Tynecastle with the other away game being against, you guessed it, Hibs. JJ is looking forward to the challenge with Europe still within the Jambos grasp. JJ said: "Now we become the hunter, it's a situation with five games left that we've closed the gap. Fifth place was taken away. Six points is a big advantage but we've still got to play them. There is no pressure on us but we want to get there. It gives us something to challenge for, the remit was to get into the top six; we achieved that and now the target is different. We know we can catch the teams above us and we'll try and do that."Suso Santana was the man to earn all three points with the only goal of the game against Killie, his fifth of the season for the Jambos. The game may have been disappointing in terms of spectacle but it was worth its weight in gold in terms of money generation at the end of what seems a long season. With Vladimir Romanov singing the praises of JJ who understands what it means to lead Hearts, he may yet loosen the purse strings for the summer transfer window now that a top six finish has been secured. JJ sat down with Romanov for talks on Friday for the first time since being appointed manager at the tail-end of January and insists he was enthused by what the majority shareholder had to say over the future direction of the club. JJ said: "I gave him my thoughts and he was very receptive. I know what his ideas are for taking us forward. I think they have changed a little bit, he has come out and said that himself. Hopefully we can work together and he trusts me to build a side for two reasons; firstly to get success but at the same time knowing people move on and we can get the club a bit of money. There is nothing wrong with that, that's what we did the last time." |