EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 23: Hearts Manager Robbie Neilson watches on from the stand after reciving a touchline ban during the cinch Premiership match between Heart of Midlothian and Dundee at Tynecastle Stadium on October 23, 2021, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Roddy Scott / SNS Group)

Robbie Neilson disputes Hearts 'burden' theory despite missed Rangers chance

The Jambos went top of the Premiership on goal difference but could've gone two points clear of the reigning champions.

by · Daily Record

Robbie Neilson insists Hearts aren't finding their high flying status a burden despite blowing the chance to go two points clear at the top of the table by conceding a late equaliser to Dundee.

The Tynecastle boss - serving the first of a three match suspension after seeing red against Rangers last week - insists he wasn’t angry as they crept ahead of Rangers on goal difference for 24 hours at least.

John Souttar had swept the Jambos into a first half lead. But despite having 19 efforts on goal they were pegged back by Jason Cummings late header.

And, asked if being top was a burden, Neilson said: ‘I don’t think so, to be honest.

Cummings bags the equaliser at Tynecastle

“No matter who we play here, we are expected to win. When we don’t win, there is a disappointment from the dressing room whether it is Rangers, Celtic, Dundee or Ross County.

‘We expect to go and win the game. We didn’t win it today , but we had the chances to win it and the performance to merit it, but we have to accept the point and move on. We are undefeated after 10 games on our return to the top flight and the mood in the camp is very good.

“If you look at the bigger picture, we are sitting top of the league after 10 games. Yes, we are disappointed not to have taken maximum points after the way we played and the amount of chances we created, but I can’t fault the players for their effort and the way they tried to win.

“But when you are 1-0 up and you don’t get the next goal, you are always susceptible to losing one.

“You are always going to have games where you don’t have that final moment, but the key phrase is that we are getting the moments. We are getting into really good areas, having shots. Some days, it just doesn’t go in.”

Top scorer Liam Boyce hobbled off in the second half and could be a doubt for Wednesday’s trip to face St Johnstone.

Neilson added: “We will see how he is tomorrow. He had a tightness in his calf and he is such a key player that we took him straight off to try to make sure he is all right. We will see how he is for Wednesday.”