Ian Cathro insists Hearts will improve after Rangers defeat
Saturday 10 December 2016 19:52, UK
New Hearts manager Ian Cathro has insisted his side will improve after meekly losing 2-0 to Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.
Goals from Rangers centre-back Rob Kiernan and midfielder Barrie McKay in either half condemned Cathro to defeat in his first game in charge.
Hearts had thought they had taken the lead after 17 minutes through Don Cowie but the linesman's flag ruled it out despite the referee having initially given the goal.
Cathro, 30, was confirmed as new Hearts boss on Monday with his only previous experience coming as a coach at Valenica and most recently under Rafa Benitez at Newcastle United.
"It's important that the fans know that performance is not going to be what is on the grass for them," said Cathro afterwards. "We will be better."
"The team in the dressing room is better than what was on the pitch today. I want them to know that.
"It needs to be better and we all feel that. It's not a dramatic day by any means. It's a game which could have gone better and we could have been better.
"But there is no disaster associated to it. Just a game we need to learn from and improve from. We will be a different team that what you saw today."
Rangers' win keeps them in second position in the table behind arch-rivals Celtic but, crucially, now four points ahead of third-placed Aberdeen following the Dons' 0-0 draw with St Johnstone.
Rangers boss Mark Warbruton singled out goalscorer Barrie McKay for praise afterwards, tipping the 21-year-old to go right to the top.
"Barrie is a young player. Almost all of last season he was first choice and got a national call-up," said Warburton.
"For a young player a lot came very early. Young players have dips. The old saying is that form is temporary and class is permanent and I have no doubt Barrie McKay can go to the very top level.
"He can be as good as he wants to be and it was great to see him back to his best today.
"There is a lot of intensity so sometimes the best thing is to take them (young players) out of the limelight and let them work hard on the training ground, so they can get their form back. It happens to all of them. Great to see
him back, he has worked hard in training and I am delighted for him.
"I thought we were good today as a team. Physically we were good, tempo wise we were good, quality on the ball was good."
