Heart of Midlothian return to Tynecastle Park this evening in what is their only home fixture across a 41-day stretch, from the draw with Dundee United last month to the visit of Rangers later this month.
Kilmarnock are the opposition and they should be the ideal opponents for Hearts after a sticky period, which has brought one win from the last five games. It is a great opportunity to regain some of that winning confidence ahead of the trip to Celtic Park on Sunday in a top-of-the-table clash.
Derek McInnes’ men know they will have hold of top spot going into the encounter if they win.
That game could have added narrative to it with Wilfried Nancy set to take charge of Celtic for the first time.
But first, it is Kilmarnock. Stuart Kettlewell is under increasing pressure, certainly from the Rugby Park stands, having amassed one point from the last 21 available. Still, McInnes will be aware of Kilmarnock’s record at Tynecastle Park. Hearts have won just five of their last 22 at home to Killie.
It is a big game for Hearts considering the raised expectations and hope amongst the fanbase. Not the game in isolation, but with the start of the season, the recent run and with Celtic up next.
There is a balance to be found between understanding that the team and club are in an accelerated position, almost ahead of schedule. After all, a return of 31 points from 14 games is excellent. At the same time, expectations have risen somewhat in line with the club's ambitions, especially to potentially split the Old Firm, as laid out by Tony Bloom.
There has been plenty of discourse around McInnes’ team selection against Motherwell - and in recent weeks - as well as discussions around how he approaches opposition.
After the Motherwell game, he noted: "I just want us to be a wee bit more of what we were in terms of being a bit more confident with our work, a bit more belief about our work and a wee bit more aggressive with our work."
Killie will come to Tynecastle Park and sit off Hearts before looking to hit on the counter, directly. Only Dundee have a smaller share of possession and there is not much in it. That gives an idea of what fans can expect. There will be patience required in those opening periods.
That should have an impact on the line-up selected.
Fans have been keen to see Christian Borchgrevink given an opportunity. At home to Killie seems like the perfect time.
Hearts will very much be the protagonists and will likely have 60+ per cent of possession. That will suit the Norwegian’s skill set. His crossing is one of his strongest attributes. McInnes lamented the lack of quality and quantity from wide against Motherwell.
Hearts will need a mix in midfield. The selection of Blair Spittal in the centre of the pitch was questioned, but he should keep his place and play in a wide left role with Harry Milne returning to full-back. It means Alexandros Kyziridis on the opposite flank.
That provides a nice balance of wide attacking options. You have an overlapping Milne, allowing Spittal to move infield and provide a supply line to the forwards. On the opposite flank, there is the unpredictable Kyziridis who can go either way and Borchgrevink as an able crossing option, whether it is from deep or advanced positions.
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Who partners Cammy Devlin? Oisin McEntee demonstrated his qualities in early games. He would give the team a direct option. There would be less reliance on him having a controlling presence if Spittal is moving from left to centre.
As for the attack. Once again, the question is whether it will be Claudio Braga or Landry Kabore to partner Lawrence Shankland.
There is an argument that Kabore’s pace would be more beneficial from the bench when the game becomes a bit more stretched and there is a bit more space. Braga’s movement could be a plus point against a deep and compact defence.
Then again, Kabore is a chaos factor and aerial threat, which could force Killie’s defence higher up the pitch.
Don’t be surprised if Stuart Findlay drops to the bench and Jamie McCart is brought in. Findlay didn’t have his best game on Saturday since joining after getting an injection for an ankle issue. His pace will have been viewed as important against Motherwell. He can be rested ahead of that trip to Celtic Park.
First of all, Kilmarnock.
