Robbie Neilson is adamant Hearts remain determined to pip Aberdeen to second spot in the Premiership despite admitting a “spectacular” collapse would be required from the Dons.

Derek McInnes’ men lead the capital club by eight points going into the final five games of the season.

Hearts passed a golden opportunity to pile the pressure on Aberdeen last week when they could only draw 0-0 against Inverness - just three days after downing the Dons 2-1 in Gorgie.

The sides cross swords at Pittodrie in the penultimate fixture of the season on May 12.

“We’re definitely still aiming for second,” Hearts head coach Neilson insisted. “We have five huge games, just as Aberdeen do.

“They are in pole position. They would need to slip up in quite spectacular style for us to get close to them but we’ll keep trying.

“Our next game is against Motherwell and we’ll try to win that one and put a bit of pressure on Aberdeen.”

Meanwhile, Neilson insists the Jambos return to Europe will bolster his bid to attract top talent to Tynecastle as he eyes more concerted challenge to Celtic next term.

The capital club’s forgettable stalemate in the Highlands last Tuesday - while a forgettable contest - was enough for Hearts to book their place in next season’s Europa League.

“The lure of European football definitely helps when it comes to bringing in players. It definitely does,” said Neilson. “It will aid our recruitment process. Players want to come and play in the Europa League.

“It's been a huge turnaround in less than two years since the club came out of administration. To be able to go down to the Championship, get ourselves back out first time and then get European football the next year is really pleasing for us all.

"But we are always aiming up and taking small steps. It’s now just about continuing to progress the club and try and get higher up the league next year.”

With Neilson’s search for reinforcements already well under way, Hearts have taken American goalkeeper Chris Konopka on trial following his release from Ross County.

The 31-year-old, who was on the bench for County’s League Cup final triumph against Hibernian, joined the Dingwall club in March but departed one month later without making a single appearance.

He will train at Hearts’ Riccarton training base this week before the coaching staff weigh up whether to hand the former New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union and FC Toronto stopper a contract.