MICHAEL SMITH says that Daniel Stendel can turn Hearts around, and that their performance in defeat against Celtic proves the players are buying into their new boss's ideas.
Hearts went down by two goals to nil to the champions at Tynecastle, but their performance was a vast improvement on the weekend's dismal defeat to St Johnstone.
Smith is now hoping that the Hearts players can further implement their new manager's style when they face Hamilton in a crunch match in Lanarkshire tomorrow, and he is sure that if they match the effort expended against Celtic, they will travel back east with the points.
"The fact that our home fans clapped us off the pitch shows that we worked hard and things are starting to turn," Smith said. "And they will turn. I believe that.
"The manager's come in and brought energy, enthusiasm and it's starting to show on the pitch.
"Saturday's a massive game but we have to to go in to it confident. [The Celtic game] gives everyone belief that we can go out there and do that.
"Determination and spirit should be a given for every single one of us. We're not stupid. We know we're down the bottom of the league and we're in a battle. That's the minimum we can show even if the quality might not be there yet. We need to battle hard against every team, go for every ball and that's what we're going to do.
"It's easy to raise your game for the Old Firm coming to town. But it's the other games it should be easier to do that, I think.
"The gaffer wants us pressing high, getting in people's faces and counter attacking off that. Hopefully we'll see a lot more of that in the future."
Smith was moved out of his usual defensive berth to stiffen the centre of midfield against Celtic, and he is open to repeating the experiment at Hamilton if Stendel feels that is where his talents would best help the team.
"I don't mind it," he said. "I was trying to put myself about a bit and trying to get on the ball a lot more to create a bit.
"I'm not the most cultured centre mid but I'll work hard and give my all in there for the team. I enjoyed it.
"The gaffer's seen in training I'm enthusiastic and that's why he's started me in there."
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