MACKAY NOT GETTING CARRIED AWAY

Gary Mackay has called for calm with Hearts sitting proudly on top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

Manager George Burley urged caution after they swept to a stunning 4-0 victory over Edinburgh rivals Hibernian yesterday which followed their 4-2 opening day win at Kilmarnock.

Paul Hartley believes they can give the Old Firm a run for their money in the battle for the championship this season but the former Jambo is playing that down.

"I'm like the manager," said Mackay. "I agree with him that it's very, very early days.

"Outside the stadium, inside the stadium and right through the club it is very, very positive.

"But we can't get carried away. We have only had two games.

"It's too early to talk about challenging the Old Firm.

"The games have worked out well for Hearts with Kilmarnock away and Hibs at home.

"You would have thought they would get something from both those games but to get six points and eight goals is beyond everybody's expectations.

"But we are just two games into the new season and the team that finished third last season - Hibs - had four points after four games but you'd rather have six points than nothing."

Mackay believes no player is safe from the axe if they have a dip in form with the players currently at the club and the quality of footballers they are bringing in.

But he admits it is vital for their progress that they get midfielder Hartley to sign a new contract.

"I think the depth of the squad is vitally important," added Mackay.

"The important factor now is that there are very few players - if any - in the squad than can let their standards of form drop for a few games and not be left out.

"There are now decent people to come in and all credit to George for his changes yesterday.

"I haven't seen anything of Julien Brellier but what I did see I was very impressed.

"Neil MacFarlane performed admirably at Kilmarnock but the manager decided it was time to put in the new boy and he did really well.

"Paul is an integral part of how Hearts play not just now but in previous seasons.

"He is vital to how the team plays and signing a new contract would be great news for everybody at the club.

"Hopefully the club can continue to bring in the same quality players and build on this."

Owner Vladimir Romanov waved his scarf and blew kisses to the crowd after watching Rudi Skacel, Hartley, Stephen Simmons and Saulius Mikoliunas sink their city rivals.

But frighteningly for Hibernian, Mackay believes they were even better going forward at Rugby Park last week.

He added: "Without being disrespectful to Hibs, Hearts overall performed better going forward when they beat Kilmarnock.

"The big difference yesterday was that they restricted Hibs to one effort.

"In any derby match world over to restrict a team to one effort is unheard of."

Mackay campaigned hard to keep Hearts at Tynecastle and he believes those efforts have been vindicated.

"I'm just delighted for the supporters," he concluded.

"The atmosphere generated at Tynecastle yesterday by the Hearts supporters would not have been possible at Murrayfield.

"The efforts by Save Our Hearts has been vindicated and I am delighted first for the supporters and they are now walking around with big smiles on their faces.

"Everybody says that Aberdeen have a great away support but the support at Dundee United next week will show just how much the club is going forward."

Taken from sportinglife.com