Hearts: Daniel Stendel's tactics are different but we have to adapt now, admits John Souttar

John Souttar admits Daniel Stendel's tactics have forced Hearts to adapt to a different style of defending - but the defender accepts players have no more time to get used to the ideas.

Hearts have conceded 13 goals in four league games since victory over Rangers gave Stendel his only three points in 11 matches.

The Ibrox side returns to Tynecastle on Scottish Cup duty on Saturday determined to keep alive their most realistic hope of silverware this season.

Souttar knows they need to transfer extra work in training into action following a 14-day break.

Stendel wants his team to press high and get forward but more goals have flowed at both ends.

Souttar said: "It's a different style of football but we have to focus on keeping clean sheets and stop conceding so many chances.

"Everyone buys into what he wants to do and against Rangers it came off.

"It's going to take time... we had a bit of time to get things right but now we have got to start getting the rewards.

"Every day in training we learn more about how he wants us to play but it's results we need, and quickly.”

Hearts' predicament worsened on Tuesday when third-bottom St Mirren opened up a six-point gap on Stendel's basement side.

Souttar admits they are in dire need of the positivity a quarter-final victory would bring.

"It's been difficult for everyone at the club so a semi-final would bring back a feelgood factor.

"Our attention is on the league – anything else is a bonus. Saturday is almost a free hit.

"If we play the way we can play and the crowd is up, Tynecastle is a difficult place for anyone."

The lift Hearts took from beating Rangers in January did not last as they took two points from their subsequent four league games.

When asked why, Souttar said: "It's difficult to identify a specific reason. We've got 11 games to stay up so we've got to be positive and get results."