Alexandros Kyziridis is adamant there is no chance of Hearts wilting under the intense pressure as the race for the Scottish Premiership crown reaches a fever pitch. The Tynecastle outfit currently sit six points clear at the summit of the table with just fourteen games left to play, setting the stage for a thrilling climax to the season.
Navigating a Crucial Fixture List
Hearts face a demanding schedule ahead, beginning with a trip to face St Mirren on Tuesday night. This is followed by back-to-back blockbuster fixtures against Edinburgh rivals Hibernian at home and a daunting away match against Rangers at Ibrox. Kyziridis, the Greek winger, is acutely aware of the stresses and strains that await as the campaign hurtles towards its dramatic conclusion.
Embracing the Challenge
However, he firmly believes that Derek McInnes's side have already demonstrated their mettle by maintaining their lead at the top of the table, proving they can handle the heat when it matters most. 'Of course, there will be pressure, but I think all the guys are good with that and we'll continue,' said Kyziridis. 'As I always say, we are going game by game. It doesn't matter if we play Saturday or Sunday or if we play the same day as Rangers or Celtic. Our target is to win every week. That's all.'
Squad Depth Fuelling Performance
Kyziridis is further heartened by the squad strengthening that occurred during the transfer window. He welcomes the fresh competition in the wide areas, brought by new signings such as Rogers Mato and Islam Chesnokov, viewing it as a positive driver for the entire team. When asked if this increased competition is fuelling performances like the impressive 3-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice, he responded emphatically.
'Yes, and that's good, no?' he stated. 'When you have such good players, you need to push yourself to play every week. I think, in our team, everyone deserves to play. Sometimes, I feel sorry for the gaffer because he needs to decide. It is hard for him every week to see who's going to play and who's not.'
Praise for a Teammate
The winger also reserved special praise for striker Pierre Landry Kabore, who delivered a match-winning two-goal performance at the weekend. Kyziridis himself was on target, converting a first-half penalty to double Hearts' lead in that comprehensive win.
'He is a guy that needs confidence and now I think he's got a good level of confidence. He's really good,' Kyziridis said of Kabore. 'First of all, he's an amazing guy and, second, he's a top player. We find solutions every time and I'm really happy about him.'
With a blend of confidence, squad depth, and a focused mentality, Hearts and Kyziridis are steeling themselves for the final push in what promises to be a captivating title race.
