GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Devlin dismisses ‘burst bubble’ talk

- BY SCOTT BURNS

CAMMY DEVLIN has urged Hearts fans not to overreact to their first Premiership defeat of the season.

The Jambos were nine points clear at the top at the start of this month, but Sunday's 1-0 loss at Aberdeen means they are just four points ahead of Celtic, who have a game in hand.

The Pittodrie result ended their 12-match unbeaten league run and was also the first defeat for Derek McInnes side over 90 minutes across 18 fixtures in all competitions.

It was this time last year that the bubble burst for the Dons after they enjoyed a similarly stunning start, and only time will tell if Hearts’ haul of just two points from the past four games is proof their title challenge is going off the rails or merely a blip.

However, midfielder Devlin insists nobody in the Tynecastle dressing room is hitting the panic button.

The Australian said: “Celtic have won the league in the last few years. Looking back, if they've had a loss then usually in the next game they bounce back with a positive result. That's what the best teams do.