Burley adds to winning formula

Chillingly, for those who consider themselves to be roughly on a par with them, George Burley, the manager, is still talking about bringing in more players to ensure that, come the end of the season, Hearts will be contemplating a return to European competition. “We could have scored two or three more, but we took our foot off the pedal,” Burley said. “We did not play our best but we’ve shown our determination and kept another clean sheet. Eleven goals in three games is terrific.

“We are not getting carried away, however. There is a lot of work to be done and we need to strengthen our squad if we are to qualify for Europe. I will see Mr (Vladimir) Romanov (the owner) at the end of the week and there are a few things I need to speak to him about.”

Dundee United are a much improved side. Most of that is down to the influence of Gordon Chisholm, the manager. He has brought in new players, notably Lee Miller, who scored for Hearts in the corresponding fixture last season, changed the system of play and given the squad a greater sense of self-belief. The self-belief was evident in the way that United responded to losing two early goals.

Hearts, too, have a new manager, but the key to their massive improvement is undoubtedly the amount of money that has been pumped into the club. The word is that some of their imports from the Czech Republic and Lithuania are on the sort of wages usually associated with Celtic and Rangers.

Inevitably, then, there must be speculation as to whether Hearts are genuinely capable of challenging at the top, but eight goals in their opening two games and three more against United suggests that will try.

Taken from timesonline.co.uk