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Steve Banks has a challenge to put to Scottish football fans, the media - and even Hearts supporters. Go and tell him that the Jambos' season is over. Go on, then.

In the aftermath of this week's CIS Insurance Cup semi final defeat to Rangers, some suggested that Hearts could just about have their end of season party in February before heading into the sun with the season apparently 'over'.

The goalkeeper, instrumental in Hearts relative return to form in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, was disappointed to have seen the Edinburgh side miss out on reaching the 16th March showpiece final, but he's still looking forward to the rest of the campaign.

Hearts currently lie ninth in the table, five points off sixth place, and that, for a start at least, is the target for the men in maroon, starting with next Saturday's big game against Gretna at Tynecastle.

"I would like those people who say our season is over to stand in front of me and tell that me because I certainly wouldn't agree," he said. "We have a lot to claw back. We're looking to get as high up the league as we can.

"There is no way that our season is over. We'll dust ourselves off and come back fighting again.

"Nobody can question our attitude and our passion. We were fighting until the very end to get right back into it against Rangers. That is not questionable.

"It is up to the management and the senior players as well as the individual players to make sure we go in and give everything we've got, no matter what team we are up against.

"We don't want slackers in the team. We'll certainly tell them if they are and we won't allow that to happen."

January will be remembered as the month in which Hearts announced they will appoint a permanent football manager with British league experience. Whilst that task continues, the team, under the guidance of Stephen Frail, who has full control, is slowly beginning to come to life, again.

"It has been good to see the attitude change," Steve continued. "Every player has given as much as they can.

"If you get beaten by a class goal then there is not much you can do. You hope that a little bit of the class we've got shows through then we'll get results and that we'll win some games.

"The players haven't changed. It is the same players that were underachieving a month ago. That's in the past. We've got ourselves together. It is well documented that certain things have been said in meetings.

"To be honest, it is a cliché but we have to take each game as it comes. We don't want to take it too far. We just want the best that we can. We're looking at the top six. We want to make sure we get that. If we don't get that then we'll be disappointed."