Andy Kirk Post Hearts

"I should have cleared it at the front post and nine times out of ten I would have put my foot through it but this time it just skipped up over the front of my foot.

MATCH PICTURES
Andy Kirk felt that there were a lot of positives to take from the Hearts game even though it ended in defeat.

"We really needed a reaction after the Rangers and Aberdeen games. We did play a lot better against Hearts on Saturday it is just unfortunate that two mistakes have cost us the game."

The 32 year old Irishman held up his hand for the Hearts opener:-

"I am at fault for the first one. The corner came in low, I should have cleared it at the front post and nine times out of ten I would have put my foot through it but this time it just skipped up over the front of my foot. I didn't catch it right and it just broke for Andy Webster.

"It gave them the lead and changed the game for them but in the second half we took the game to them and we were the better side at that time. Another mistake gave them the chance to get in for the second goal. It gave them that wee cushion so we are disappointed.

"Defeat does affect confidence. We were not expected to beat Rangers but we were very disappointed with the performance and Aberdeen was probably worse for us so it was all about bouncing back from that. We put a good shift in playing a slightly different system but I thought we played well at times and now we have to build on that to try and put points on the table.

"Maybe Hearts had a lot of possession at times in the first half but second half we started really well If we keep performing like that the confidence will come and turn for us."

Andy's role was a lonely one ploughing the furrow up front with just a limited supply. He was not unfamiliar to that however:-

"I have played that role a lot of times this season, it is just the system we have used. It is hard at times with just one upfront, unless your midfield players get close to you, you can feel isolated at times. It is a job that you have to do playing up there on your own. You just have to handle it and try and do the best you can to hold the ball up and work their two centre halves hard. Make sure that they don't get time on the ball, I thought I did that at times today. You have to put in a shift in for the team but the system worked very well I thought. You are just looking for that break in the box, that wee chance to stick it away. It was unfortunate that didn't happen.

"We now face a massive game next Saturday at Inverness. All the games are going to be huge games for us, especially next week. It is important that we go up there and perform to the best of our abilities. If we can put in that performance then we have enough good players in our team that can hurt teams."

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