Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo fears his side are in for a tough season after they limped to a 1-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat at Motherwell.

Laszlo bemoaned the lack of experience in his squad after Ross Forbes volleyed the only goal at Fir Park.

Laszlo, who was missing the injured Michael Stewart, said: "This season will be very tough for Hearts. I know what I'm talking about. If you have so many inexperienced players you will have to play painful games."

He added: "If you win two or three games in this league then you can move up, but before we talk about this we must win.

"You can get into Europe if you win the cup or finish fifth but we must be realistic and between the wish and reality is a big gap.

"This is reality. Maybe in two years, maybe next season, these players will have the experience to win games but we can't wait.

"When we have people like Michael Stewart, Marius Zaliukas and Laryea Kingston out of the team, the young players don't have orientation. They need someone to guide them.

"This is what I'm talking about all the time. But I'm tired of always talking, I will go and do my job the best I can. This is the only thing I can do."