Hearts FC
Hearts stopper Michael Smith has Celtic in his sights as Jambos bid to bounce back after Cathro exit
The defender says the players have to take the rap after their manager was shown the door, but he's hoping Jon Daly can get off to a bright start in Glasgow.
Anthony Haggerty
Hearts' Michael Smith looks ahead to opener against Celtic (Image: SNS)
Get the latest Celtic news sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter
Hearts defender Michael Smith insists that the Jambos players must carry the can for Ian Cathro's sacking.
The Hearts hierarchy bulleted Cathro on Tuesday morning after just eight months at the helm.
Former Dundee United and Rangers striker Jon Daly has taken over the running of first team affairs on an interim basis alongside assistant Austin MacPhee and Liam Fox.
Despite such a negative week for the capital club off the pitch Smith believes that the men in maroon can pull off mission impossible on it and end Celtic's Invincible league run under Brendan Rodgers this weekend.
The former Peterborough star readily admits that nobody will give Hearts a hope when they travel to Parkhead this Saturday for the Premiership curtain-raiser to the 2017/18 campaign.
Players have to hold hands up for Cathro's exit says Smith (Image: SNS Group)
The Northern Irish full-back said: "It's a results business. The players haven't performed for Ian.
"At the end of the day, when people get sacked, it is the players' fault. I feel that anyway.
"Some people might not feel that, but the players have to take responsibility for things like this.
"I knew there'd be pressure playing here.
"That's why I came to Hearts - to play in circumstances like that and try and win trophies for such a big club.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers reveals empathy for sacked Hearts boss Ian Cathro: 'He wasn't given the opportunity to do it the way he wanted'
"The response from the fans last Saturday after the Dunfermline game did shock me and probably some of the other new boys as well.
"I totally understand it. The club means everything to a lot of people.
"We're going to work our hardest to try and get somewhere this season.
"Celtic away is the toughest fixture of the season but why not make it the first one?
"They didn't lose all last year and had a good result on Wednesday night against Rosenborg in the Champions League but someone's going to beat them eventually.
"They're a good team and we know what we're up against but we'll go there and try and upset them.
"A win would be huge for us.
"The club would get a massive lift from it and the confidence that would come from winning a game like that would be second to none.
"Every team needs a bit of confidence going in to the start of the season.
Interim boss Jon Daly (Image: SNS Group)
"No-one gives us a chance at all.
"The players and the people inside the club do but we know what we have to do.
"We know it's not going to be easy, far from it, but we go there with a game plan that Jon and Austin will set out and hopefully maybe catch them on an off day as well."
Smith insists that former Dundee United and Rangers hitman Daly helped put the smile back quickly on the players faces during training this week.
The 28 year-old is convinced that Daly is the man to help lift the doom and gloom engulfing the Tynecastle side at present.
He urged the Hearts fans to get right behind Daly and his management team.
Smith said: "Hearts need a change of mentality.
"We need keep winning games.
Rangers striker Kenny Miller insists first day win is vital to avoid being cut adrift early like last term
"We need to progress as a team, progress as a squad and I think we are heading in the right direction.
"The talent we've got in this squad is fantastic.
"Some of the players we have here are international quality, obviously so we need to be performing better on Saturday.
"When the manager loses his job and the next guy games in, the interim manager or whatever, you need to put a smile back on the players' faces and Jon has done that.
"Jon has brought fun, commitment, enthusiasm and work rate, which we will need for the Celtic game.
"We've had a but of fun this week, it's been good, it's been intense hard work all gearing towards Celtic and the boys are really up for Saturday now.
Hearts striker Kyle Lafferty will be hoping to get among the goals at Celtic Park (Image: SNS Group)
"I think no matter what the fans will be behind the team.
"They love this club and no matter what goes on, they're the one thing that remains here.
"The players don't remain, the managers don't remain - they're the one thing that stays put and we owe it to them to do something this season.
"Austin was a big factor in persuading myself and Kyle Lafferty to come here.
"Personally I'm glad he's stayed or is staying - I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but for me Austin's a great coach.
"He's thorough, he's good with the boys.
'We blew it again' Aberdeen star Graeme Shinnie can't believe it's the same old story for Dons in Europe
"He has a bit of banter but on the training pitch he's very serious and has all his stuff done.
"For me, he's the ultimate professional."
Smith revealed how Northern Ireland international teammate Lafferty was the subject of some verbal abuse from a builder in Glasgow earlier this week.
However Smith believes the incident has only served to fire up the ex-Rangers striker and he is tipping Lafferty to net against the Hoops.
Smith said: "I believe Kyle had a builder shouting at him the other day in Glasgow - so it's pretty standard!
"Kyle loves things like that.
"He's probably had it his whole career.
"I'm sure he'll let the Celtic fans know when he scores on Saturday…"
Jon Daly
Kyle Lafferty
Ian Cathro
WellbeingCampaign to get primary pupils in South Lanarkshire to eat more veg is launchedThe national campaign is estimated to reach one million school children across Britain
Grammar school home economics department is TOAST
FoodShock as there are no cooking course specialists at the former school of Dr Who star David Tennant and broadcaster Andrew Neil
Motherwell boss Graham Alexander insists red card against Hibs wasn't merited
Motherwell FCAlexander admits he shouted and swore, but didn't cross any boundaries
'Severe gales' to batter Falkirk and bring weekend of miserable weather
Bad WeatherLocals are being warned about the potential risk of power cuts and damage to buildings.