Elliott calls on Hearts to deliver in spite of adversity at Tynecastle

Published on Saturday 24 December 2011 03:41

Stephen Elliott has urged Hearts to do their talking on the pitch as they aim to end another troubled week by reining in third-placed Motherwell.

Ryan Stevenson's decision to go on strike and refuse to play for the team because of the on-going late payment of wages is just the latest problem to hit the Gorgie outfit in a dark spell that has threatened the very future of the club.

With owner Vladimir Romanov proving difficult to deal with in his search for a buyer for the club, supporters have this week seen winger Andrew Driver hand in a transfer request and Eggert Jonsson off-loaded to Wolves. On the pitch, Hearts have struggled to put their woes behind them, winning just two games since the financial issues emerged with the late payment of October's salaries.

However, last weekend's 4-0 hammering of Dunfermline hinted at a determination within the majority of the Tynecastle squad to remain resolute in the face of adversity and will have done much to allay increasingly jittery Hearts support who have, just like the players, had to deal with increased uncertainty.

And Elliott, who netted his team's second-minute opener against the Pars, wants another determined display against Motherwell this lunchtime as Hearts look to close the nine-point gap on their third-placed visitors.

The Republic of Ireland cap said: "We knew it was going to be a tough game (against Dunfermline) because results haven't been great lately. And, with all the ongoing problems we have, we knew we had to go out there and let our football do the talking, and the lads put on a great performance right from the start of the game."

Speaking on Hearts TV, the former Sunderland and Wolves player added: "Obviously every game is tough in the league and Motherwell have been going really well this season, so we know they are going to come to Tynecastle full of confidence.

"But we've just got to be prepared for them and hopefully we can get another good result going into Christmas. Last year we went on a really good run and people were saying we already had (third place) done and dusted.

"But, as anybody knows, nothing is easy in football and we'll be looking to get a positive result against Motherwell."

Manager Paulo Sergio will be back in the dugout this afternoon after completing the five-game ban he received for clashing with referee Alan Muir and being sent to the stand during the 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock in October.

Taken from the Scotsman