BOTTLE STATIONS

Kingsley insists Hearts' doubters are wide of mark because excitement is drowning out nerves in title run-in

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STEPHEN KINGSLEY knows questions over Hearts' bottle won't go away unless they crush them themselves by winning the title.

To some extent the defender understands why people are doubting their nerve, given the lack of experience of being in this position in the Jambos' dressing-room.

Those who have been there and done it say getting over the line for a first title is always the hardest.

But there's a difference between jitters and nervous excitement.

And that's why Kingsley is confident the Jambos' bottle' is firmly in one piece as they head into potentially the biggest test of them all across the capital today.

With every question so far this season, every little stumble, there's been an emphatic answer from Derek McInnes' side. No back-to-back defeats.

When they lost to Kilmarnock last month they bounced back with a 1-0 win over Dundee. And when they lost at Ibrox they returned with a 1-0 win over Falkirk.

Ditto the defeat at St Mirren

and the tumultuous 1-0 derby victory over Hibs that followed.

Even the gut-wrenching defeat in Leith back in December only led to Hearts bouncing back with a 1-0 win over Livingston.

So as McInnes' men prepare for a blockbuster start to the post-split title charge back on enemy territory at Easter Road, Kingsley insists there will be no trepidation.

Only excitement at the position he and his team mates find themselves in.

Last week's warm-weather training break in Spain only reinforced this side's togetherness and belief.