HEARTS boss Ian Cathro believes Hearts have fixed their defensive issues – but admits they are still searching for the formula that will lead to goals.

The Jambos have dropped down to fifth in the Ladbrokes Premiership table on the back of a run that saw them lose six games out of seven.

They were shipping an average of two goals per game during that sorry stretch but Cathro is feeling more optimistic after registering back-to-back clean sheets against Dundee and Kilmarnock.

However, following those two recent results, which saw the Tynecastle men beat the Dark Blues 1-0 in Gorgie before claiming a goalless draw at Rugby Park, Cathro has now confessed his players may have retreated into their shells.

He told HeartsTV: “There were good parts in those two games. Defensively we stood up to a fair bit of stress in the Dundee game and dealt with a bit of pressure, a bit of anxiety, a bit of uncertainty towards the end. That was important for everyone to get through.

“In parts of the Kilmarnock game we managed to control the game but without being threatening enough.

“That’s certainly an area we need to address. We need to make sure we have the right blend, the right balance to make sure we have that control but also to make sure we have more goalscoring opportunities.

“We did have chances in those two games but you saw the Dundee game ended like it did because it was resting on a 1-0 scoreline. We’ve learnt a lesson about how important it is that we put the ball in the goal when the opportunity is there.”

Partick Thistle are next up at home for Hearts and Cathro is refusing to look any further ahead than the Jags.

Asked about the run-in, the rookie boss said: “We’re not considering them as block of five games. The only way they become five is if we get what we want out of the first one, then the second and so on.

“Our focus is entirely on the game with Partick Thistle. We consider that as it’s own thing and we’re focusing completely on that.”