Beni Baningime says Hearts will continue to take it one game at a time as they look to stay unbeaten in 2025.
The Jambos prepare to welcome Rangers to Tynecastle on Sunday and the midfielder admits the recent form hasn’t resulted in anyone getting carried away, as the message continues to be to take one game at a time.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, Baningime said:
“Even though the results at the start of the season weren’t going well, we knew that what we had in the changing room was just more than ability. It was players that have character, and it was players that care for one another. So, ultimately, when you have that and you have that foundation, you know with the ability, then you're going to do all right.
“I think you should be careful to obviously not go back where you've just been. But obviously also looking forward, obviously taking it game at a time because that's all you can really do. With the season that we've had, you can get so carried away and whatever. One game at a time. We begin on Sunday and hopefully continue to go on the trajectory that we've been going in.”
The midfielder added that it would be ‘huge’ if the men in maroon were able to pick up all three points on Sunday.
“It would be huge. Absolutely huge. I think whenever you beat Rangers or Celtic, it's a huge statement.
“We've obviously been beating other teams recently, which has been good. We've been unlucky on some games like Ross County, which probably you should win that. And then against Aberdeen.”
Baningime explained he himself is trying to be more of a leader in the dressing room.
“Oh, yeah, of course. I'm 26 years old now. I'm not a young kid. I'm not a boy anymore. I'm a man. So, for me, ultimately, it is stepping up. For me, my leadership is a little bit different.
“You will never really hear me scream and whatever, but it's the leadership of taking the ball. That is something that I need to try and implement in this game. Try and implement yourself into the game.
"Try and get on the ball. Get the team kicking. That's the bravery of it. I feel like many people say we've got bravery of just running around. That's not brave. It's not brave. Anyone can run around. You can get the people that can run more than us. But in the games against Rangers and Celtic, where you need to put your foot in it.
"You need to make sure you get your team a bit of control because Rangers and Celtic, and Rangers specifically, as we're talking about, are a great team. They're going to control the game in spells of time. But I think also you need to step up and try and implement your game and try and get the team going to give the best chances for the Elton’s and the Shanks and the players that I spoke about before to get their chances.”
You can watch Beni’s press conference in full on Hearts TV.
