CRAIG LEVEIN insists the Hearts supporters were right to boo his side in Saturday’s dismal defeat to Hamilton Accies.

The Jambos suffered a surprise 1-0 reverse to allow city rivals Hibs to move to within two points of them in fifth place in the Premiership table.

Levein offered pass marks to midfielder Arnaud Djoum and Peter Haring, and to substitute Craig Wighton, but branded the first-half performance ‘as poor as we have been’.

The Herald:

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The Tynecastle boss was pleased with improvements in the second-half but by then Accies had the upper hand thanks to Aaron McGowan’s stunning finish nine minutes from the break.

And he insists he shared the fans’ disappointment after the loss left the capital side with just one win in their last six league matches.

He said: “We get booed from our supporters when we don’t do well. On Saturday, we didn’t do well.

“They are entitled to do that. I’m not happy with the performance so they are entitled not to be happy with it as well.

“I’m struggling to find things that are really positive. A few players played alright, like Arnaud Djoum and Peter Haring. Craig Wighton was okay when he came on.

The Herald:

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“We didn’t do enough to cause Hamilton problems and that’s what annoyed me. The first half was as poor as we have been.”

Meanwhile, Hearts youngsters Dean Ritchie and Jay Sandison have extended their contracts with the club.

The 18-year-olds have penned year-long extensions, tying them to the Gorgie outfit until 2020.