Miko reveals full extent of Frail's fury

BARRY ANDERSON
SAULIUS MIKOLIUNAS today revealed the full extent of Stephen Frail's post-match tirade after Hearts' top-six aspirations dissipated at Rugby Park.
Frail lambasted his players for their lack of appetite during a 45-minute dressing-room lock-in after the game. His frustration followed a lifeless display in a 0-0 draw which saw all hope of securing top-six status squandered. The club's interim manager accused his side of treating the match, which they needed to win to maintain ambitions of finishing in the SPL's upper half, like a testimonial. He also questioned their devotion to the cause.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening News, Mikoliunas explained the depth of Frail's anger. "He said we didn't put enough effort in and accused us of lacking desire and hunger. Maybe that was fair. It was his opinion and his view and he didn't have any problem telling us," said the Lithuanian.

"Everybody was frustrated and upset by the result. We didn't manage to get into the top six and that left us all unhappy in the dressing room. It was a difficult match and Hearts always find it tough at Kilmarnock, but we all know we should be doing much better."

While critical of his players, Frail was keen to shoulder his own portion of responsibility for the result. "We had a chat in the dressing room and there were a few home truths," he said. "I can't just point the finger at the players, we all need to look in the mirror and see what we could've done better. I know I will be and hopefully the players will.

"I've tried countless times previously to defend decisions I wasn't making because I wasn't picking the side. But that was my side on Saturday, no excuses. We have had a virus ravaging the club and ten or 11 lads, including youngsters, ha
ve gone down with it. But other clubs with smaller squads than us deal with these things. I'm not putting Saturday's result down to that, it goes right back to the first game of the season against Hibs." Goalkeeper Anthony Basso, who produced a string of outstanding saves to preserve Hearts' clean sheet, also believes this season's difficulties can be traced back to a disappointing league start when the club failed to win any of their opening four matches.

"It has been a difficult season right from the beginning. When you lose points at the start of the season it's hard to get them back. Maybe that is why we are not in the top six," said the Frenchman.

"We should have done more to get a result but the season is not finished and we must be focused on the last five games."

Taken from the Scotsman