Hearts 2-0 Motherwell: Robbie Neilson delighted to go top

Robbie Neilson is pleased to have led Hearts to a third straight win - and top of the table - while being able to rest some of his summer signings.

New arrivals Blazej Augustyn and Juanma, plus Jamie Walker, dropped out as Motherwell were beaten 2-0.

"We've not got a huge squad, but we've got quality in the squad," said head coach Neilson. "We just have to make sure we don't over-use them.

"It is about shuffling the pack to make sure we've got enough to win games."

Striker Juanma came from Kalloni in Greece, Augustyn from Gornik Zabrze in Poland, fellow defender Igor Rossi from Maritimo in Portugal and latest addition Juwon Oshaniwa from Ashdod in Israel - all top-flight clubs.

"I changed the back four again," said Neilson. "It is always going to be difficult when you're changing your back four all the time, but they are never going to be consistent as the boys we've brought in didn't play a lot of games in the last couple of years.

"That's the reason we've got them and we've got to be really careful to shuffle the pack but keep a strong back four.

"The guys who came in from the weekend did great for us, but that's why we've got a squad.

"I was able to take out Juanma, Augustyn and Walker and bring three guys in to take over from them and I thought they did great."

Hearts lead Celtic by two points after the reigning champions drew 2-2 away to Kilmarnock, but Neilson stressed: "It's too early to be looking too far ahead."

Ian Baraclough's side have suffered two defeats after an opening-day victory

However, he was particularly pleased with the opening stages against Motherwell.

"The two previous games, we have been a bit sluggish starting," he said.

"I thought we were on the front foot and moved the ball quickly and, when the game opened up, we passed it well."

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough admitted that Hearts were "a yard quicker" in their thinking at Tynecastle.

"We were second best in many areas at crucial times," he said. "I felt they were physically stronger than us.

"Having said that, the chances that were created were fairly even and we didn't capitalise on the ones we did have.

"That's the first time we've been physically beaten up and we can cope with that better."

However, Baraclough was not downbeat about his side's chances this season.

"We can use the ball that little bit better and we wouldn't be too far away," he said.

"We've got good players and, when we put it together, we know we're a match for any team in this league.

"Tonight we weren't quite at it and, when you are not at it, you invariably get punished."