Toby Sibbick reveals Hearts flak sparked confidence nosedive as he fronts up after Robbie Neilson sit down

Toby Sibbick has responded to Hearts fans' criticism by promising to prove his doubters wrong.

The English defender has had a tough time of it recently after struggling to regain his place in the side following a red card in their defeat at Celtic. In fact, his substitute outing in Thursday night's Europa Conference League battering at Fiorentina was his first appearance in almost a month.

But Sibbick has used his time on the sidelines to reflect on the early stages of his career having only played 100 senior matches. The 23-year-old has held discussions with Robbie Neilson which have centred around Sibbick rediscovering the best version of himself on he field. And he has stressed that any below-par displays in a maroon jersey do not equate to a lack of effort.

Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, Sibbick said: “We had a conversation in the manager’s office and he said he just wants the old me to come back out. I need to be myself. I know my performances haven't been the best. I think I suffered when I didn't have the greatest game. That maybe knocked my confidence a bit. I don't really look but sometimes you get tagged in things [on social media]. We are all human, some of us make mistakes. Of course it's their club and they want their club to succeed. We play for the fans and we just want the best for them as well.

“Maybe I was the brunt of people's frustration, but I think that's the case anywhere in football. You see top players getting targeted and everyone jumps on the bandwagon. You just need to be mentally strong and tough to pull through these things. Hopefully one day I can turn a page with a few of them, so they can see that I am actually trying and giving my best. No-one wants to do badly for the club