Robbie Neilson says a tough run-in will give Hearts focus

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson says a tough run-in will give his Championship-winning side a focus as they begin to think about life in Scotland’s top flight after a year’s absence.

Neilson’s side have already clinched the second-tier crown and will be given a guard of honour by Rangers when they run out at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Tynecastle side still have to negotiate an Edinburgh derby clash with Hibernian next weekend before hosting Rangers on the final day of the season.

Currently sitting on 81 points, Neilson hopes his men will continue racking up the wins that will see them past the second-tier points record of 89 set by their city rivals back in 1999.

"It's been a hard season but we still have six games to go,” Neilson said.

"The pleasing thing is that they are all big games. We have Rangers on Sunday at Ibrox before Alloa come here on Wednesday, then we go to Easter Road the following Sunday. There's also Rangers on the last day of the season.

"So it still gives us a focus and we must prepare properly for those games."

Meanwhile, Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs hopes his side can shake off back-to-back defeats to Rangers and Raith Rovers when they host fellow play-off contenders Queen of the South at Easter Road on Saturday.

Stubbs said: "When you look back at our last two results, naturally we're disappointed with the outcomes - it underlines the fact that in this division the margins are so fine.

"As a group, we've learned some hard, sharp lessons, but we can't let that frustration eat away at us - there's no need to panic because I believe this group is equipped to reach our objective.

"Since the first day of the season, our goal has been to achieve promotion and, even though we've now experienced a couple of recent setbacks, we must keep everything in perspective and stay committed to the cause."