Levein wants a Euro push

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS boss Craig Levein today threw down a Euro gauntlet to his players as he targeted six points from the Jambos’ next two games.

The Gorgie outfit made the most of Dunfermline’s defeat at Pittodrie on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Dundee United at Tynecastle, the win taking Hearts six points clear of the fourth-placed Fifers with a game in hand.

That fixture is the rearranged clash against Livingston at Almondvale tomorrow night before Levein takes his side across the Forth Road Bridge this weekend to take on the Pars.

Victory in both matches would see Hearts stretch their lead over Dunfermline to 12 points and strike a significant blow in the bid to qualify for the UEFA Cup for the second season running.

While insisting there is still a long way to go in the campaign before anything is resolved, Levein acknowledged this could be a huge week for the team.

"We have a big game tomorrow against Livingston and we have to take care of that first," he said.

"We have not managed to beat them at Almondvale since they came into the SPL so that goes to show what a tall order it will be. But it is all there for us. If we can win tomorrow we will be nine points ahead of Dunfermline with a massive game at East End Park on Saturday.

"Clearly if we can win both matches it would give us a fair platform for the rest of the season but first things first and it’s Livingston we have to focus on.

"We weren’t at our best on Saturday in the first half although still created chances. It was a real test after United got back into the game but the players’ attitude was spot-on, as it always has been."

He added: "Other results went for us at the weekend but there is a fair bit still to go in the season. To be honest, a draw at Almondvale wouldn’t be a disaster for us. There is no doubt, however, that the next two games could have a significant bearing on our attempt to qualify for the UEFA Cup."

Phil Stamp, who limped out of Saturday’s win after taking a knock to his knee, is expected to be fit.

Levein, meanwhile, has praised the contribution of Paul Hartley following the midfielder’s impressive performance against United.

The former Hibs and St Johnstone star scored one and created another as he stamped his authority on the game.

"Paul Hartley was left out at the start of the season because of his work rate and has never looked back," said Levein.

"His work rate has increased almost game on game. With that has come a belief in himself that he has the quality required to play at this level and he is quickly turning into one of our most consistent performers - and I think there is more to come."

Taken from the Scotsman