Pressley calls for fans to be patient

Hearts captain Steven Pressley has urged dissenting supporters to judge first team coach Graham Rix and the players at the end of the season.

The Jambos were booed by a section of fans after the goalless draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.

The Tynecastle club topped the Bank of Scotland Premier League table for most of the season before ex-manager George Burley left the club in October.

Rix was a controversial appointment by majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov and the former Chelsea coach has overseen a run of one win and three draws in his four games in charge.

However, the Hearts captain insists fans must be patient and told the Scottish Sun: “You can look at our last four games and take something from that or you can look at what we have done over 18 matches – and I would say to go through that with just one defeat is very positive.

“Over recent weeks, we have not reached the levels we did earlier in the season but I think every club could say that about themselves.

“Of course, the weekend result was disappointing but, if you look at our closest rivals, it was only two weeks ago Celtic slipped up at home to Dunfermline.

“The most important thing is where you are after 38 games. That is the true test of a team.

“We feel we can challenge over that period of time.”