Terrors aim to scupper Jambos' Euro dream

Hearts defender Steven Pressley reckons they must show more consistency if they are to realise their goal of winning a European place - starting with Dundee United.

The Tynecastle side face the Terrors at home on Saturday in a game crucial to both sides' aspirations.

Pressley believes his former team showed in their 1-1 draw with Rangers last week the kind of spirit they will need if they are to move away from the bottom of the Scottish Premier League.

However, with home advantage against United, he hopes Hearts can get back to winning ways after last weekend's defeat at Motherwell.

"We must show more consistency in our performances," said Pressley. "I think if you watch us from week to week, some weeks you wonder why we're not up challenging the Old Firm and the others you certainly see the reasons.

"Tynecastle must be a place where people fear to come and we must look to win all our home games.

"We must get a result here so we can go into the derby on the back of a good performance and a good win. That's very important.

"Dundee United have had a wee lift after a couple of decent results so it'll certainly be a difficult game.

"By all accounts, they certainly showed spirit last week, the sort of spirit you would expect from them. People maybe questioned their spirit earlier on in the season."

Head coach Craig Levein was disappointed with the performance at Fir Park last week but Pressley sees no reason for the side to lower their sights.

"At the start of the season, one of our main aims was to gain a European place and I still believe we can do that through our league position," said Pressley.

"That must stay a priority. Once you start dropping your targets then you have problems."

Levein said: "In the two games that we played up until last week the boys performed reasonably well, especially at Kilmarnock.

"But sometimes to perform consistently means winning or getting a draw when you're not playing well.

"That comes about by knuckling down, everybody working hard and being organised, and that didn't happen last week, which was a concern to me."

Meanwhile, Dundee United manager Alex Smith is hoping the draw against Rangers can kick-start their season.

Smith has a number of injury and suspension problems, but he feels the confidence is back in his side.

"It looks like we will have to reshuffle the side, but I'm just delighted to have so many versatile types in the squad these days," he said.

"But we are not making any rash promises because we have only got seven points, but we will try to make it 10."