Hearts must strive to improve on first round of SPL matches, says Gary Locke

Oct 27 2011

GARY LOCKE has demanded Hearts find a level of consistency starting with Saturday's SPL clash against Kilmarnock.

After the first round of matches, and having played Rangers twice, Hearts sit fifth in the table, 14 points behind the SPL champions and five behind second-placed Motherwell.

But first team coach Locke believes the Gorgie club are capable of better.

He told Hearts TV: "We're always striving to be better. A club like ourselves should be up there challenging.

"We've got to be a wee bit more consistent, try to pick up on our away form and hopefully if we do that we'll be up there."

Hearts have won four of their six home games - the second loss coming in a 2-0 defeat to Rangers last weekend - and Locke hopes the formidable record at Tynecastle will continue against Killie.

He added: "The home form's been very good. That's one of the positives of the season so far.

"There were positives to take out of the performance (against Rangers) and if we can play like that on Saturday hopefully we'll get three points.

"Kilmarnock are a difficult team to play against, they pass the ball well, but if we play how we can play, hopefully we'll win."

Hearts have had numerous off-field distractions of late and are currently operating a media blackout ahead of manager Paulo Sergio's Scottish Football Association disciplinary hearing on November 3.

The Portuguese manager is the subject of a notice of complaint in relation to alleged comments made about a match official before the 2-0 win at Dunfermline earlier this month.

Hearts' senior players, meanwhile, are still awaiting payment of their wages, which had been due on October 16. It is not the first time wages have been delayed.

The players' union, PFA Scotland, are understood to be aware of the situation and the players are assessing their options if the delay continues.

On the pitch, Hearts have won three of their last five SPL games, but Locke has called for his side to be more clinical in front of goal against a capable Killie side.

"It's important we try to put the chances we've created away," Locke added.

"We've certainly got players in the team that are capable of scoring goals.

"I'm pretty sure if we can create one or two opportunities on Saturday we'll take them.

"Kilmarnock are a dangerous team to play against. They've got some talented players and we know if we're not on the ball they'll cause us problems."

Locke reported no fresh injury concerns, but Calum Elliot has returned to training following knee surgery.

Taken from the Daily Record