Sutton sets his sights

Hearts striker John Sutton has stressed the importance of a strong finish to this season's league campaign as he reflected on Saturday's away win at Rugby Park.

Sutts' 8th goal of the season was the difference as Hearts won a second league game on the bounce for the first time in over a year, something the forward felt was crucial if the club wants to finish 'best of the rest' in this season's disappointing SPL campaign.

SPeaking to the media after the game, John said: "It's our first back-to-back set of wins in the league this season, which is important for momentum. We've got to make it three in a row next week now, and make sure we finish seventh. We're getting there slowly. We should have had the game won earlier, but the defence did their job really well.

"We're aware of the prize money factor in climbing the table as well, but that's not what we focus on. It's purely winning and losing for us, first and foremost. We just want to finish on a high."

Saturday's win drew Hearts level with city rivals Hibs, though the Hibees have a game in hand, and within two points of seventh-placed Kilmarnock following the proverbial 'six-pointer'. While admitting that the players would like to give the supporters bragging rights, the former Motherwell star confessed Kilmarnock were the team to catch, and expressed his hope that overtaking Hibs would just be an added bonus.

"I think we'd like to give the fans that, at least," he said. "We're all aware of it. The fans are reminding us constantly that they've supposedly had a great season and now we're level on points. It's important for us to win the last derby, but it's not Hibs we want to overtake, it's Kilmarnock in seventh place."

John's fourth minute strike at Rugby Park took him further clear in the race to be top scorer at Tynecastle this season and, with goals starting to flow more regularly for the Englishman who, by his own admission, has struggled to find form for Hearts since his 2011 move from Motherwell, the Hearts no.9 took the chance to praise new manager Gary Locke for helping him find his shooting boots.

"You don't want to be dismissive to the work of the previous manager, but Gary likes to play in a more attacking style and there's been more ambition in how we play, we're playing with two up front which suits me", he revealed. "My goal was all about big Mikey's set up play. He had a lot of work to do, I just made a run and I couldn't miss thanks to him."

"I've scored a lot of goals in previous seasons, but I haven't had a run of games until recently. I've started scoring more regularly under Gary. I'm getting more chances too, so even if I miss, I'm still encouraged. I've just had a slow start, but as I say, the style of play suits me. The gaffer wants Michael and I to build a partnership up top, Jamie Walker and I are starting to play one-twos more as well. He wants us to get a relationship on the pitch."

On the subject of Jamie Walker, John was confronted with the fact that he may be the oldest player in the squad next season, something he was keen to prevent from happening! The ex-Tottenham trainee enthused about the Riccarton graduate's performance on Saturday, with the winger winning a penalty and causing mayhem in the Kilmarnock rearguard.

"You're young one moment, and then you're 30 before you know it," he laughed. "Hopefully we can retain Webby so he can take the heat off me! The young boys can do our running for us. Jamie Walker's all over the pitch when he plays, and he should have had another penalty too. He's a great finisher, he'll score more goals the more he plays. It's all about experience, and I'm looking forward to playing with him next season."

Finally, John reacted with pleasant surprise when confronted with the news that his goal took him to within one of reaching his elder brother Chris Sutton's SPL total, after scoring his 63rd career league goal in the Premier League. Having given himself a target to beat before the season's end, the striker joked that his ex-Celtic, Chelsea and England hitman sibling would be cowering in shame if his baby brother pipped him to at least one career achievement!

"I didn't realise that!", he claimed. "He'll have his phone switched off if I get a couple more goals while he thinks of his excuses about winning the Premiership and playing for England! That would be something to smile about!"

Hearts World