Hearts not good enough to be handing out gifts

[BBC] Defeat at Falkirk may have come as a surprise to some, but the Hearts hierarchy always knew there would be a few bumps in the road. The manner of the loss, however, should act as a wake-up call to the club. The success of recent weeks has been built on hard work and nobody is denying the players' efforts. But the performance at Falkirk was evidence that more will be required if the club are to achieve their goals this season. Wouter Vrancken said post-match his players "didn't match the energy" of the Falkirk team and that the two goals conceded were "presents". Hearts are not yet a good enough team to afford to be second best in energy and intensity - and they certainly should not be handing out gifts. The team have an opportunity to respond quickly with another road trip, this time to Kilmarnock, before a lengthy international break. That upcoming hiatus will allow Hearts an to take stock of where they are, recharge and prepare properly for a hugely busy period between October and December. There is plenty for Hearts to look forward to, with European adventures continuing and a League Cup semi-final against rivals Hibernian. The defeat at Falkirk will be painful, but the important thing is how Hearts respond.