Stephen Frail today refused to criticise his players after defeat to Kilmarnock at Tynecastle.

Goals from Grant Murray and Paul Di Giacamo put the Ayrshire side out of sight in Edinburgh, on yet another afternoon to forget. The men in maroon rarely looked like scoring with the end of the season now barely five days away.

The interim boss, who had led a major revival in fortunes before this week's back to back defeats - albeit too late to make the top six - preferred to focus on what his players had achieved, and look to the future.

"We had some half chances and one or two wee things after that but we did not do enough to hurt us but they popped up with a good delivery at the corner and they got the header which, I am sad to say we knew it would be a long way back. That summed up the season," he told the media after full time.

"There has been a lot more fight in the squad since we took over. In the previous Kilmarnock game [at Tynecastle] we went a goal down with ten men and we drew the game one each and we should have won it.

"I am not going to criticise them because since taking over in January there has been a vast improvement in results and the players have been terrific.

"It is just disappointing the way the season is petering out for us. We put a big emphasis on these last five games. We wanted to win them and finish on a high and it is not going to be that way for us now.

"I have got a reaction from them [since taking over]. That was all I wanted to get and we got that. From the form that we had and where were until the split we were sitting third in terms of form, so I would like to think that is down to something I've down but it is down to something they've done."

And looking ahead the preparations for next season are well underway, with Stephen confirming that he and sport director Anatoly Korobochka are working on ins and outs for the new campaign, in readiness for what lies ahead.

"I think we need an overhaul of the squad," he said. "That might not been bringing in bundles of players but we need to make sure the players we bring in enhance the young lads.

"We need players who can come in and help these lads develop. I think we need to freshen up most areas and hopefully we will be allowed to do that."

On Hearts.TV today - listen to post match interviews with Stephen Frail and Christos Karipidis. Watch highlights of the defeat on Monday. Tomorrow listen to LIVE coverage of Robbie Neilson's Testimonial Match and watch extended highlights on Monday - plus enjoy full coverage of the Player of the Year and Scottish Cup Anniversary Celebration.