Hartley hammers home warning to faint Hearts

Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley has warned his team-mates that taking their place in next season’s UEFA Cup for granted could be fatal.

Hartley was sent off towards the end of the Jambos’ shock 1-0 defeat at Bank of Scotland Premier League bottom club Partick to give Dunfermline hope in their pursuit of third place.

The former St Johnstone man admitted frustration got the better of him as Hearts slipped to their worst result of what has been a consistent season in the SPL.

The Tynecastle side remain nine points ahead of the Pars, but the East End Park outfit have two games in hand.

Hartley though is concerned that eight months of hard work – including an 11-match unbeaten sequence – could be thrown away by a few weeks of sloppiness.

He said: “We just weren’t at it yesterday. I can’t explain why that was but it just wasn’t good enough.

“We never got going all game and it’s very frustrating after the unbeaten run we’d put together. I didn’t expect us to play so badly.

“That was a big game for us. If we’d won that would have put a lot of daylight between us and the rest and we failed to perform.

“We’ve got to keep our minds on the job and make sure we nail down that third spot because if we threw away UEFA Cup football now would be devastating.”

The Jambos’ creative influence in midfield did, however, offer an excuse for his dismissal by referee Alan Freeland in the 87th minute.

Hartley said: “I think the first yellow was a bad decision because the lad touched me and it was a penalty.

“The ref had booked one of their players (Jamie Mitchell) already and maybe he thought he’d even it up.

“I’m not sure it made any difference to the final score but it made my day even worse.”

Partick winger Andy Thomson paid tribute to the contribution of James Grady in his side’s victory, only their fourth of a dismal SPL campaign.

Grady, who is Thistle’s top scorer with 13 goals, harassed the normally unflappable Steven Pressley into a poor back-header which Thomson intercepted for the winner.

Thomson said: “I thought James was great. He is good to play alongside as he never lets defenders settle.

“That’s what happened for the goal. I knew he’d put Pressley under pressure and thought I’d gamble to see what came off.

“The ball came in my path and I managed to finish it. It’s a pity James and I couldn’t have played together more often.

“It takes games to get that understanding but I think it would work with us.”

Whether either player is at Firhill next season is open to question with Thomson and Grady certain to attract attention from SPL sides if and when the Jags are relegated.

Thomson said: “Who knows what will happen? If we do go down, and with me out of contract, there’s a chance I might move on.

“A few clubs have shown an interest but until the end of the season I’m concentrating on Partick Thistle. I’d like to finish this disappointing season on a high.”