We will get better, predicts Burley

ALAN PATTULLO

IT WASN'T the fact that yesterday's derby victory over Hibernian took Hearts to the top of the Premierleague which so delighted manager George Burley, rather the manner of it and the belief there is still more to come from his free-scoring team.

Burley watched as Hearts took first blood in Edinburgh derbies this season with a ruthless four-goal performance that followed up a 4-2 win at Kilmarnock on the opening day. The win was recorded without the services of new Lithuanian striker Edgarus Jankauskas, who failed a fitness test prior to kick-off, and Burley did nothing to beat down expectations at Tynecastle when he promised that a team so hastily fashioned can only get better.

"Some of the new signings are not fully fit," he said, with the tall striker Roman Bednar one of those who looks like he might benefit from having a few more games under his belt. "There are still areas where we can get stronger. There is still a lot of work to be done."

"[But] it's always nice to win a derby. That's two games, two wins and eight goals. It could take another two to three weeks before we finally form a team."

This is ominous news for Hearts' rivals, including yesterday's defeated foes Hibs. Hearts took the initiative right from the off yesterday, and rarely let Tony Mowbray's side settle into the passing game they used to such great effect last season.

"I thought in the first half we were excellent," said Burley. "We got one goal and could have got a number more. Hibs were on top for a spell at the start of the second half, but after our second goal there was only going to be one winner."

Inevitably, Burley was asked whether Hearts can sustain a challenge at the top of the SPL this season. Alert to the danger of priming himself for a fall, and aware, also, of how little of the season has elapsed, Burley sought to promote a degree of realism. "Remember how far behind Rangers and Celtic we finished last season," he cautioned. "They have squads that are full of top international players. If we manage to finish third and take the club back into Europe then that would be tremendous."

Central to this aim is being able to rely on Paul Hartley, who was again excellent yesterday. The midfielder is currently in negotiations regarding extending his contract at Hearts after two signing attempts by Celtic fell through. "We have spoken to Paul and his agent and are getting closer," said Burley. "He's a smashing player and a great character in the dressing room too. He simply enjoys his football." If that's the case, then Hearts just now is the place to be, it seems.

Taken from the Scotsman