Strachan - We made mistakes but it wasn't only the defenders

It's fast and furious at Tynecastle. You have to handle set plays, and I thought we did that all right in the first half.

We handled the stuff we thought was going to be a big problem, and did it a lot better than we did the last time we were here, things like the pressure play from Hearts.

I didn't see anything really to frighten me. We showed Hearts great respect by the way we prepared for the game.

We knew they would pressure us, but also that there would be spells when we would be able to get the ball down and play. We could have passed it better when in possession.

And, if you give away two goals like we did when in possession and comfortable, then you will have a problem.

ANY POSITIVES TO BE TAKEN FROM THE GAME?

I'd commend our players on the way they tried to get back into it, and kept on passing, which was how we got our goal.

But we needed more of that and to be braver at times. Our passing will get better as the season goes on.

WERE YOU HAMPERED BY THE STANDING WATER ON THE RIGHT OF YOUR HALF IN THE FIRST HALF?

There were puddles, and when we tried to pass from that side there was a problem. That does help if you are attacking and you are trying to leave the ball in a certain area.

I've no idea why it was like that only over there. I just know the ball does not run out the pitch if you soak it and there are puddles.

But that's life and we have no complaints about Hearts or the way they played. We get on with it and respect the fact they won.

DID JIRI JAROSIK FIND IT A BIT TOUGHER THIS WEEK?

It was a different style of game, and you have to be able to play in every type of game. But that is good as it's a learning process for everyone.

WHAT ABOUT NEIL LENNON NOT STARTING?

I never left him out.

He didn't play last week. I read he was being dropped, but you can't be dropped if you weren't playing.

It was a huge decision but my job is about making decisions. But his mistake was a blip. I'm not giving it a thought and neither should he.

Taken from Evening Times