Hearts go in search of defensive feat for first time in three years as Robbie Neilson expresses Scottish Cup concerns

Hearts go to Queen of the South this evening in search of their fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Robbie Neilson takes Hearts to Queen of the South tonight. Picture: SNS

It has been more than three years since the team managed such a feat when Christophe Berra and Jon McLaughlin were key cogs at the back.

There have been frustrations, both within the squad and management team as well as the fan base, with some of the goals conceded this season.

Hearts had given up goals in six games prior to the midweek trip to Raith Rovers where the clean sheet run started.

Neilson, however, is wary of the difficulty of a trip to Queen of the South, even with their lowly position, having had first-hand experience of a 4-0 defeat at Palmerston Park last season when in charge of Dundee United.

“We had a chat about defending as a team," the Hearts boss said.

“It's not just about the boys at the back and goalkeeper. It's the forwards as well, the whole midfield line. They've all got a part to play in that so it's always important when you are going for a title you have one of the best defences in the league.

"We were conceding too many goals in my opinion and the opinion of the players.

"We've managed to stop that at the moment but we know that going down to Queens, it is a difficult place. We went down with Dundee United last season and they turned us over quite convincingly.”

He added: “It's a tough venue. Going down on that surface it is hard to play on. It's not ideal but we handled the Raith Rovers surface really well when we were up there so expect us to do the same again.”

Scottish Cup difficulty

Meanwhile, Neilson would like to see the Scottish Cup completed.

With football suspended outwith the top two tiers there are understandable concerns that it won’t be played with the Hearts boss admitting it will be "difficult”.

“For me, the Scottish Cup's a very, very important event in the Scottish calendar,” he said.

“We all look forward to having an end of season cup final.

"Historically it's got a massive part to play in Hearts' history so I hope it carries on.

"What kind of guise it will carry on in, I'm not sure but I'd like to see it completed."

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