ANN BUDGE won't write off Hearts' season if they fail to win promotion to the Premiership.

Robbie Neilson's side extended their lead over Rangers at the top of the Championship standings to nine points with victory over the Light Blues at Tynecastle on Saturday.

Hearts are strong favourites to clinch the title this term but owner Budge isn't demanding an immediate return to Scotland's top flight.

She said: "If we get to the end of the season and we miss out on promotion, I won't consider that a complete failure, as long as we have moved ahead in all of these other areas.

"That's not necessarily everybody's idea - but would I treat it as a total failure? No I wouldn't."

Budge saved Hearts earlier this year after the disastrous Vladimir Romanov era in Gorgie.

And the businesswoman has vowed to keep a close check on the Capital balance sheet.

Budge said: "We're doing what we can, within limits - we've got to be sensible about what we spend.

"But, at the moment, we are trying to make the stadium as safe as we possibly can and do the obvious things to make it more pleasant to be in.

"There is a fundamental business rule that says you shouldn't be spending more than you bring in - it's not rocket science. If you do that, you're going to end up with debts.

"Borrowing money for a particular capital programme you can understand, but running up debts that are prevalent in football is beyond my under-standing really.

"That will not happen here - certainly not while I'm in charge."