Frail is determined not to walk away from the job

"I think we are in a relegation battle," said the assistant head coach. "If we think we are too good to go down then it will be even harder.

"You hear it every year - 'we are too good to go down'.

"If we are still in there in February, March - if you think we are nervous now then what will it be like then?"

Interview: Hearts coach Stephen Frail

Frail believes Hearts' coaching staff and players are letting down the supporters.

"Sometimes it comes down to players and I don't think they gave us enough," he said.

No disrespect to St Mirren, we have better players, but what a team performance they put on Hearts assistant head coach Stephen Frail

Frail described last week's defeat by Gretna as his worst moment in football but said: "This was probably the worst.

"That was totally unacceptable. The coaches are letting the players down and likewise. St Mirren wanted it more and we didn't put them under pressure."

Hearts sporting director Anatoly Korobochka had said in the match programme that changes would be made during the January transfer window if performances and results did not improve.

"You'll have to ask people higher than me whether the funds will be there," said assistant head coach Frail.

"If the funds are going to be there, we might have to get one or two out.

"Player for player, we have as good a squad as any in this division.

"No disrespect to St Mirren, we have better players, but what a team performance they put on.

"If you have 11 guys all fighting in the same direction, you have a real chance."

Frail was not about to walk away from the job, despite Hearts dropping to third bottom, 10 points ahead of Gretna.

"It is too good club and too good a job," he said, pointing out that he had to think of his own family in any decision.

"We have a group of fans and a group of players that have to look to us and I will continue to try and go until something might give."