HEARTS captain Steven Pressley believes that the Tynecastle side will have no problem bouncing back from the disappointment of the Edinburgh Derby today as they aim to start the new year on a high against St Johnstone.

The Gorgie players were shattered when John O’Neil scored a 90th-minute equaliser for Hibs on Saturday to snatch victory from Hearts at the end of a frantic match. Having gone ahead through Kevin McKenna in the first half, it looked as if Hearts would hang on to give Craig Levein his first derby win since taking over as head coach.

However, the resurgent Tynecastle outfit have taken ten points from a possible 12 in the past four matches, which has seen them move into the top six in the SPL, and Pressley believes that the players should not forget that achievement as they head for McDiarmid Park.

"I don’t think there will be any need to pick anyone up after the Hibs game," said the Scotland international. "Everyone was disappointed at losing the goal so late in the game, but we have done well lately so the confidence is still high in the dressing-room.

"The team has come a long way in the last few matches and we should not lose sight of that. The Hearts fans’ expectations rise when we do well, but that is part of trying to be successful."

One reason for the recent rise in the Tynecastle club’s fortunes has been a greater work ethic among the players. The signings of the combative Tommi Gronlund and free-scoring Jamaican Ricardo Fuller have also added an extra dimension to the side. However, Pressley says everyone has been pulling together to improve Hearts’ position and he feels that the same desire and hunger will be required if they are to improve on their away record this afternoon.

He said: "Our away form has probably not been good enough. Our win against Dundee United on Boxing Day was a good result, but we only managed that through hard work and that is what we have to keep doing if we are to pick up points on the road."

St Johnstone have been galvanised by the arrival of manager Billy Stark. They defeated Motherwell over the festive period, giving themselves a survival chance this year and also refused to buckle at Ibrox, despite losing 1-0 to an early Michael Mols strike.

Pressley added: "St Johnstone will be a really tough match for us because they are struggling a bit in the league and will be out to take any points they can get."

Once again, Hearts have a major worry over Fuller and he will face a late fitness test on his Achilles injury.

Taken from the Scotsman