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ARNAUD DJOUM insists the Hearts fans had every right to boo the team as Sunday’s ‘special’ game was wrecked by defeat to Aberdeen.
But he is adamant that things will get better under embattled head coach Ian Cathro next season.
The Gorgie men were desperate to give their main stand a winning send-off in the last game in front of it before the builders move in to replace it with a £12 million modern structure.
They also wanted a victory to thank their supporters for sticking by them in a difficult campaign that promised so much but could yet see them deliver nothing but sixth place in the Premiership.
But following a 2-1 loss to Aberdeen, who they were level-pegging with when Cathro was appointed in December, supporters deserted Tynecastle before the players’ ‘lap of honour’ and some of those who remained jeered Cathro.
Midfielder Djoum said: “The last few weeks have been difficult and the fans are maybe a little bit against us.
“They expected us to win some more games, especially the last game at Tynecastle.
“I understand them and why they are booing because they really wanted us to win this game and it was something very important and special to them.
“We knew it was a big day for the club and we are very disappointed in the result.
“We were desperate to do well. It was the last home match of the season and the final match before the new stand is built, so we tried to do everything to win and to fight and score goals.
“But they scored an early goal and it was difficult to come back.
“It was important to come back out to say ‘thank you’ to the supporters who are always there in the good moments and bad moments.
“Even on Sunday, after a bad result, some fans stayed behind and we need to show respect to them.
“Even if they boo, that is normal, so we still wanted to say ‘thank you’ to those supporters for everything they have given us.”
Despite winning just five of 19 league matches under Cathro, and being knocked out of the Scottish Cup by bitter rivals Hibs in embarrassing fashion, Djoum is convinced Hearts will improve under their beleaguered head coach and insists the players remain firmly behind him.
The Cameroon internationalist added: “For sure, this will get better. There was a lot of changes and it will take time to settle.
“Teams like Aberdeen have played together for a number of years so they know exactly what they are doing, and we need to work hard and be a team like that.
“Everybody expected us to win games quickly and sometimes it takes more time. We have to be patient, work hard and next season will be better.
“We are 100 per cent behind the head coach.
“He has a good idea of the way he wants to play and, in time, things will be better.”
