MacFARLANE FOCUSED ON LEAGUE

Hearts midfielder Neil MacFarlane dismissed the notion that the Tynecastle's Bank of Scotland Premier League campaign has been side-tracked this season due to gruelling cup commitments.

The Gorgie side, who finished third in the last two years, are struggling in sixth place behind the Old Firm, Hibs, Aberdeen and Motherwell as they look forward to a crunch New Year derby against their neighbours at Easter Road.

On top of trying to retain their third spot in the SPL this season, the Jambos have been involved in the UEFA Cup and CIS Insurance Cup which many believe has taken its toll on John Robertson's squad.

However, MacFarlane refused to blame too many games for his team's situation and insisted the battle for a European spot is not over yet.

He said: "Everyone wants to play in those games and I have always said you should never moan when you get them because you want to play in Europe, in the CIS Cup and in the Scottish Cup, it is games that you look forward to.

"Whether it has set us back or not, we cannot use that as an excuse, we just have to move on now.

"The top of the league is close, there is a closeness for third spot and even down at the bottom there are teams scrapping to stay up so it is good.

"It is hard to say how many teams are pushing for third but with Aberdeen and Hibs having a good run then we are going to have to step on the gas.

"If we can get this result then I am hopeful that we can still get back into contention for third spot."

Jambos manager Robertson had claimed the ongoing uncertainty concerning the ownership of the club had affected his players but again MacFarlane insisted the players were focused on their job.

He said: "In the three years that I have been here, the team spirit has been tremendous and I do not think that has changed one bit.

"Whether it is in the current climate of uncertainty or whether it was last season with unrest amongst the fans about possibly going to Murrayfield, everybody just pulled together.

"We will pull together tomorrow and we will do our best for the club, there is no doubt about it."

Taken from sportinglife.com