Shanks slams Jambos as the skipper insists they aren't good enough to give rivals 3-0 starts

HE could have been philosophical about it.

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He could have shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the league table which shows Hearts still sit in pole position going into the New Year.

He could have brushed off the chaotic events at Easter Road as nothing more than a bump in the road. Just part of the journey.

But, instead, Lawrence Shankland had steam coming out of his ears after the 3-2 derby defeat by Hibs which has hammered a dent into this whole fairytale bid.

And that's probably an indication of what the skipper expects from his side in the second half of this potentially historic campaign.

"I just don't think we were us," he fumed when asked where it all went wrong for the league leaders on the other side of town.

And the venting didn't stop there.

He continued: "We conceded very early. We speak about the threat they've got from crosses. We conceded two goals, both sides of the half, from crosses from the left side.

"It's something we're frustrated about because we spoke about it and we were aware of it.

"We didn't do well enough to stop the crosses and we conceded, on our part, two poor goals and that's frustrating. Then the third one is horrific as well.

"You want to start the second half well, you give them a goal like that. In a derby, teams don't need goals or confidence.

"We came here, we were high-flying. Obviously giving them the goals just gives them a lift and makes them feel a part of the game.