Hearts feeling vulnerable and low on confidence
Last updated 15th Apr 2017
Hearts boss Ian Cathro admits his men are feeling vulnerable after suffering another setback on the road.
The Jambos were held to a 0-0 draw by Kilmarnock at Rugby Park as they missed the chance to put pressure on Europa League rivals St Johnstone.
It was another frustrating away day for the Gorgie men, who have won just three league games outside of the capital all season.
In the 21 games since Cathro took over, they have managed just five wins and the rookie head coach confessed that miserable run is beginning to affect his players.
He said: ''There is a wee bit of vulnerability, a wee bit of low confidence and we saw some of those things towards the end of the Dundee game on Saturday and tonight as well.
But the positive thing is we have got through both of those situations and not conceded. That's important for the players.
The feeling after tonight though is one of disappointment that we have not taken our chance to win the game.''
Hearts enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening half but did little with it.
Killie responded well after a half-time dressing down from caretaker boss Lee McCulloch and could have snatched the points at the death, but saw Kris Boyd spurn two decent stoppage-time chances.
McCulloch said: ''We possibly should have got more for the second half and the way we finished the game. But the way we started wasn't good enough.
Up to 40 minutes was the worst we've played since I've been interim manager - and I don't know what was up.
We weren't getting close to the ball and maybe showing them a little bit too much respect. So I had a bit of a go at them at half-time and the character the boys showed in the second half was brilliant.
I thought we were the better team and Boydy was unlucky with a half-chance. So I've got to be pleased with the point, another clean sheet and the character shown.''