Sergio demands more from team

Paulo Sergio has called for an improved performance from his Hearts side when they face St Johnstone on Sunday, and claim a place in Europe.

Victory for St Johnstone at Tynecastle, who enter the fixture with a three-point lead over Hearts, would wrap up fifth place for the Perth side and a place in the Europa League next term.

If that were to happen, Hearts' only avenue to continental competition would be by winning the first all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup final since 1896.

In what could prove to be his final match at Tynecastle, Sergio is seeking an improved performance after a 2-2 draw at Dundee United and 1-0 loss to Motherwell.

"We lost two great chances to have a better position," said the Hearts boss, who is out of contract this summer.

"We can do better, but the bigger problem was our effectiveness.

"In both games we had six, seven good situations to score and we did not allow great chances for our opponents, but they were effective and we weren't.

"These games are very important to us. We have achieved top six, but if we can be fifth or fourth, we shouldn't want to be sixth.

"Let's keep doing what we have been doing, but we should have better effectiveness to get a result.

"We have a lot to play for in this game and we know that throughout the season we haven't had the better of results against St Johnstone.

"We have lots to prove to ourselves, first of all that we can get a result."

If Hearts finish sixth in the SPL, Sergio insists it would still be a success after a campaign in which there have been numerous off-field concerns, not least delayed payment of player wages.

"We have three games to end the season, most other teams just two," said Sergio, in reference to the May 19 cup final with Hibernian.

"Our target was to be in the top six so it can't be a disappointment when you reach your target and you're in the cup final.

"It was a pity we didn't get the points in the last two games.

"But we still have the chance to be fifth and we're going to fight for that."