Caretaker manager Stephen Frail has urged Hearts to get a head start on Falkirk in the final stretch of the race for sixth place in the SPL.His side face Kilmarnock on Saturday and victory for Hearts is essential to keep their top-six hopes alive.
Falkirk currently hold a single-point advantage over Hearts and Aberdeen, and victory for the Bairns against the Dons at Pittodrie on Monday night would clinch the last remaining place in the top of the half of the table.
However, Hearts' 1-0 triumph over Dundee United last weekend cut the gap, as Falkirk could only draw against Kilmarnock.
Falkirk have not won at Pittodrie since 1957, and Hearts know that racking up three points against Killie would at least put themselves temporarily in sixth place come Saturday evening.
He said: "It was a massive win last weekend and to come in and find out that Falkirk had drawn was a real bonus.
"We can only concentrate on our own games, and to get the win and in the manner we got it - especially with it being Dundee United, who we've struggled against this season - was really pleasing.
"A win will now be enough to get us into the top six on Saturday and then we'll have to wait and see what happens at Pittodrie on Monday.
"We can't concern ourselves with that. I don't want to be sitting on Monday evening when that games goes ahead and we've not won our game.
"The focus and the emphasis will be on what we do on Saturday against Kilmarnock."
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies is a former Hearts player and manager and has a well-known affinity with the Tynecastle club.
However, Frail is realistic enough about the nature of football to expect no favours from the Gorgie legend.
Frail, who will on Friday start working towards the UEFA Pro Licence, added: "Whether or not he would like to see Hearts in the top six, he'll want his team to win.
"They set their team out to win every game and I don't think if we don't make the top six that Jim or Billy will lose any sleep over it.
"They've got a job to do at Kilmarnock, a job they've done very well, and we know how difficult this task will be."
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