For just the second time this season, Derek McInnes has to pick a line-up following a defeat.
The Heart of Midlothian boss was correct to point to basic errors as the main reason for the defeat. It means there likely won’t be any drastic changes when Livingston arrive in Gorgie on Saturday.
This Hearts squad banked a huge amount of credit going into last weekend’s Edinburgh derby loss. The same 11 who started at Easter Road performed well in the three tough matches before.
Even though Hearts got worse before they got better after their half-time changes against Hibs, one of those substitutions could provide a clue to how they approach Livingston.
For a start, if Beni Baningime is fit, he starts. Hearts did well in the midfielder’s absence, but his partnership with Cammy Devlin before that was one of the team’s biggest strengths.
Livingston bottom of the league, winless in 16 and Hearts will be expected to take the game to them, not too dissimilar to when Kilmarnock came to Tynecastle recently.
Christian Borchgrvink was brought in for that game and appears to have fallen down the pecking order with the arrival of Jordi Altena.
McInnes said this week that the right side has been a bit of an issue and since he is ready to play, the Dutchman could very well be brought straight in for his debut.
If that is the case, there likely won't be too many other changes. A midfield three, including Oisin McEntee along with Devlin and Baningime, may seem overkill, but it allows that front three to play high up the park and both full-backs to get forward to join in.
Harry Milne could provide width high on the left, allowing Claudio Braga to play closer to Lawrence Shankland. And Altena could dovetail with Kyziridis. As explored, the new full-back is attack-minded and can vary his position.
Plus, we have seen Baningime play a slightly more advanced box-to-box role this season, but more freedom could be given to McEntee, or Tomas Magnusson if McInnes opts for the Icelandic.
Another debate could be had up front. Claudio Braga hit form again recently but, like the rest of the team, had one of his poorer outings last week. Could he switch sides with Alexandros Kyziridis to allow the Greek to play on his natural side?
Elton Kabangu and Sabh Kerjota both impressed off the bench, despite being starved of game time this season, and there is an argument for either to start.
