New deal for Robbie Neilson

High-flying Hearts have rewarded head coach Robbie Neilson and his assistant Stevie Crawford with new two-and-a-half-year deals.

Neilson replaced Gary Locke as Tynecastle boss in the summer of 2014 following the club's administration and relegation from the top-flight.

But he successfully guided the Jambos back to the Premiership during his record-breaking first season in charge.

And he has followed up last year's Championship triumph with another set of impressive results, with his newly promoted side safely sitting in third in the table.

Chairwoman Ann Budge said: "I am very pleased to have secured Robbie and Stevie's services for the next two seasons, as we continue to build for the future.

"This is a win-win for everyone - the club, the players and the supporters. By continuing to pull together, I am confident we will all achieve our goals.''

Director of football Craig Levein added: "We came in with a long term plan, we're ahead of schedule and very happy with the progress our coaching team has made.''

Neilson said: "Stevie and I are very happy to have extended our contracts. We are both young coaches with a lot to learn, and while we've enjoyed some real success, we want to deliver more for the supporters.''

Meanwhile, Neilson says he wants enjoyment back at the top of the menu when Hearts take on Kilmarnock at Tynecastle on Saturday.

The Jambos' form has dipped slightly in recent weeks and they have won only one of their last five matches in all competitions, including a 2-1 defeat at bottom side Dundee United last week.

Killie are the first of three visitors to Gorgie in a week, preceding Inverness and Partick Thistle, and Neilson wants his players to enjoy the challenge of trying to catch second-placed Aberdeen, who are 11 points ahead having played a game more.

He said: "We want to create a team here that is enjoying themselves.

"A team that works really hard but do the right things, the energy and enjoyment, players going out and passing it and wanting to take the ball.

"If you watch every team at the moment, it is difficult to sustain that attacking football and passing game because of pitches.

"The pitch at Dundee United last week was really poor, no grass on it, it was windy and difficult to play.

"We tried to pass the ball, we didn't manage it, neither did Dundee United, in Scotland, December, January, February, it is always difficult to play on these surfaces.

"Yes, we want to play great football but without a great surface it is difficult to do that.

"We have three home games coming up in a week at Tynecastle, a good surface, so we can go and play.

"We have the fans behind us, it is a sell-out tomorrow which is great to try to keep pushing on.

"We want to try to get as close as we can to Aberdeen. We missed an opportunity last week but we have still to play them twice and a game in hand so it is definitely in our hands.''