Exclusive: Andy Halliday reveals new Hearts target and the players' meeting which turned form around

Perched on steps behind the dugouts at McDiarimid Park four weeks ago, the midfielder admitted being “overwhelmed with anger” after four defeats and a draw from six league games.

Now he stands relaxed in a corridor deep in the bowels of Tynecastle Park, brimming with positivity following four wins from five. Hearts’ form is on an upward trajectory again since a key players’ meeting after that 2-1 loss at St Johnstone. The significance of Craig Halkett’s return in central defence should not be overlooked, either.

The squad spoke among themselves to address sub-standard performances and managed to execute a full turnaround. There is even talk of new targets over and above the stated aims of European football and Scottish Cup success.

It is an altogether more upbeat Halliday chatting this time. “Last time I spoke to you at St Johnstone, we had a chat on the Monday after that game. We said we can’t be focused on third place. Third will take care of itself if you get three points on a Saturday, that was the message,” he explains.

“Since then, we have gone on a great run. Regardless what is going to happen from now until the end of the season, that’s the main focus – getting three points every week.”

Sitting third in the Premiership, 14 points clear of Dundee United in fourth, and awaiting a seismic Scottish Cup semi-final with rivals Hibs, Hearts are on course for a potentially historic campaign.

It would have been difficult to envisage such heights 12 months ago but Halliday felt it was possible. “Oh yeah, absolutely,” he says. “People might not believe me but I spoke about it last season. We took a lot of criticism and I said it was 100 per cent deserved. I felt we still had the base of a really good squad here.

“The