BREN: I TAKE BLAME FOR HOOPS FLOP

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got the points on the board, but there’s so much football to play.

“We've just got to hang in there at this moment, find those performances, find the results and hopefully our levels will improve as the season goes on.”

And the Northern Irish manager expects to see major improvements over the course of the remainder of the season and a sustained challenge for the title.

He added: “I think the context of today is obviously disappointing in the game and the result. But there are 29 games left.

“And, if Hearts are at their best today, then of course if we can find a consistent level of performance, then there's absolutely no doubt we can make up the points difference.

“Hearts have made a really good start in terms of points. Our issues have been well documented.