Heart of Midlothian

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

Hearts' frenetic pace at the top of the Scottish Premiership shows no signs of slowing. I know Celtic have a game in hand but seeing us nine points clear in early November is still positively barmy.

There are plenty of people expecting the Tynecastle title tilt to regress, but given the fixture list over the next three months, Hearts have a massive advantage over our nearest challengers.

Following the postponement of the St Mirren game in December, Hearts have 12 games until the end of January. Second-place Celtic have 18 matches in the same period. Potentially 19 if their postponed game against Falkirk gets slotted in midweek in early January.

Hearts are essentially playing once a week and with a squad depth most – if not all – Premiership sides would envy, we should be able to maintain a freshness for the next round of fixtures and keep motoring along.

Plans are already under way for January recruitment, which should see a couple of quality additions for the starting line-up including Kazakhstan winger Islam Chesnokov, plus a raft of departures.

There could be a goalkeeping departure sooner, with Kilmarnock reportedly asking us for a loan goalkeeper for their clash for Celtic on Sunday. Given it's likely to only be a one-game agreement, Hearts have the ability to do something really funny and allow Craig Gordon to go on loan and help Kilmarnock stifle our title rivals.

I'm expecting the Dundee United game on Saturday to be arguably our toughest match at Tynecastle so far this season.

As Derek McInnes said after the first round of fixtures about "putting down a marker" and staying on top, we need to start over and ensure we've got the hunger and desire to put a determined United to the sword.

Kilmarnock approached Hearts about an emergency loan deal for goalkeeper Zander Clark but have been offered fourth choice Harry Stone instead. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Hearts will likely reject any move from Kilmarnock to land Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon on an emergency loan. (Scottish Sun), external

Islam Chesnokov's January move to Hearts is expected to go through and the 25-year-old will begin training with the Scottish Premiership leaders in December despite suggestions that the Kazakhstan winger is pondering his future after his contract ended with Tobol Kostanay. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Dundee United were among the clubs tracking Pierre Landry Kabore over the summer before the Burkina Faso forward chose to join Hearts. (The Courier), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, SNS

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Steve Clarke says it is "important" to have free-scoring Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland back in his Scotland squad because "if you need someone in the squad for goals, Lawrence is your man".

Shankland takes the place of Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie and joins Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes and George Hirst as Clarke's forward options for this month's crucial World Cup qualifying double-header against Greece and Denmark.

A recall to the squad is a reward for Shankland's stunning start to the season, in which he has scored 10 goals in all competitions for the Scottish Premiership leaders.

"Lawrence has been good, he's hit the ground running again this season," Clarke said. "His team are flying at the top of the league. Lawrence is getting his goals.

"If you need someone in the squad for goals, Lawrence is your man."

"He's shown he can be a part of the Scotland squad before. He's been involved in a lot of squads, he's got the experience.

"I think in these two games coming up we're going to need experienced players and Lawrence has certainly got that experience to help us.

"I have a good relationship with most of my players. Lawrence is one. We are always very honest with each other.

"He's a good player. He's a striker who lives on goals, thrives on goals. He's the captain of a Hearts team who're doing very well at the moment.

"He's in a good place and when you've got a striker in a good place scoring goals, it's important to get them involved."

One only has to look at the Scottish Premiership table to get a sense of the optimism surrounding Hearts - nine points clear of Celtic, the best attacking record in the division by far and the second-best defensive record.

After a 2-2 draw at St Mirren in midweek, Derek McInnes' side returned to winning ways in fine style with a 4-0 victory over Dundee on Saturday.

Michael Steinwender, Blair Spittal and Pierre Landry Kabore all came into the starting XI as McInnes freshened things up and the tweaks paid off.

"They have got a brilliant thing going," former Hearts winger Neil McCann said on Sportscene.

"A lot of people were looking as if the bubble had burst at St Mirren, but a draw isn't such a bad result.

"There's a freedom about the squad and a bravery about the manager."

Watch highlights as Hearts cruise to a 4-0 win against Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Hearts' 4-0 win against Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

Chris: I don't think we really got out of first gear, which is crazy considering the score line. Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime in the middle of the park complement each other fantastically. We need to give Devlin whatever he wants to get him on a long-term deal. Nine points clear and playing with swagger. Uncharted and exciting times to be a Jambo.

Stevie: A very professional victory which didn't come with the high-octane energy we have come to expect - but if truth be told, it wasn't required. Dundee were poor. Nine points clear as winter comes in, having just checked the weather it looks like a chilly, I heard it's -14 down at Easter Road!

Peter: Pierre Landry Kabore comes out of the wings and looks the part on centre stage! Lawrence Shankland is thriving on the competition around him and we see Blair Spittal make the most of being in the starting line-up, with Tomas Magnusson replacing him and scoring!

Strength in depth and a high level of determination, we are really shaping up now, with even better to come from this team and its astute manager.

Ray: Only a few issues, lack of pace at the back in transition and require more guile to unlock behind the ball. So many options up front. James Wilson a concern for Scottish football, he is nowhere to be seen. Think the signings are great for the cost, still unsure if the manager is as good as they are.

Alan: I'd love to hear Champions League music at Tynecastle soon. So far this is a dream come true. But I'd not celebrate until it's mathematically impossible to beat us to the title. Then we can get Rangers and Celtic back by playing a youth team in last part of season like they usually do.

Alex: This is probably the most complete Hearts team I've ever seen in terms of fitness, speed, fight and flair, they're a joy to watch. Have to continue to take one game at a time, and purely focus on winning the next battle.

Image source, SNS

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes watched his side post "a good reference point" by going nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and warned rivals that his squad is "getting stronger".

Dundee had taken points off of Rangers and Celtic this season, but left Tynecastle with a 4-0 defeat.

"We're delighted with it," McInnes said. "We said the point at St Mirren [in midweek] would be a brilliant and important point if we won today - and that's the way it has been.

"A few weeks ago, we set a challenge to players, 'can we be above Celtic before we play them?'. And then 'can we be top of the league after the first round of fixtures?'.

"We've boxed off that little section now and we need to go again for the start of the next round.

"It's a good reference point for me in the sense of what can be done and there are some difficult fixtures amongst that, some difficult challenges, and I feel as though the squad's getting stronger."

Lawrence Shankland's opener was followed by first Hearts goals for Landry Kabore and Tomas Magnusson.

"Once we got in front, and it was a brilliant goal from Lawrence, like all good teams I thought we never looked back from that," McInnes added.

"I'm delighted for big Landry to get off the mark. I thought he led the line brilliantly with Lawrence.

"We looked a wee bit leggy at times, but we were in charge of the game, which is the most important thing."

Hearts move nine points clear of Celtic at the top of the table a third of the way through the Scottish Premiership fixtures.

A 4-0 win at home to Dundee was achieved despite resting three key players.

Read Clive Lindsay's match report.

Give us your thoughts.

Former England striker Alan Shearer backs Hearts to win the Scottish Premiership and believes it would be good for the game. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Former Celtic centre-half Moritz Jenz helped convince goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow to move to Heart of Midlothian this summer after leaving Union Berlin. (Transfermarkt), external

Former Hearts defender David Weir has become Strasbourg sporting director. (Sun), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

Image source, SNS

Hearts midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof (hamstring) joins Ryan Fulton (groin) and Finlay Pollock (hamstring) on the sidelines but defenders Frankie Kent and Christian Borchgrevink are both fit and back in contention.

Dundee have everyone available except on-loan Hearts playmaker Yan Dhanda, who is unable to face his parent club.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Former Tynecastle skipper Steven Pressley believes the stability at Hearts helps makes them a "powerful force" as his Dundee side try to stun the Premiership leaders this weekend.

Pressley knows how tricky a task it will be against this Hearts side having spent eight years in Gorgie, as well as captaining the club during their blistering start to the 2005-06 season before manager George Burley was sacked.

Asked whether the current campaign brought back memories of 20 years ago, Pressley replied: "Yes, but [the manager] has not been sacked, and I can't see them changing three or four managers in this season!

"The good thing for them is that they have got much more stability around the decision-making at the football club than what we had during that period."

While Pressley played under Burley, John McGlynn [as a caretaker], Graham Rix and Valdas Ivanauskas that season, Hearts are a lot more settled under head coach Derek McInnes.

And the former Hearts centre-half has been very impressed by what McInnes is doing in his few months in the capital.

"For a team, at this stage of the season, to be six points ahead of Celtic surprises everyone, let's be honest," he said.

"But the one thing that doesn't surprise me is that they have got a very astute and a very knowledgeable head coach that understands the game, and he also very much understands Hearts as a football club.

"I think it is a football club where if you get some early results, and you get the momentum and you get the support behind you, they can become a very powerful force and we are seeing that at present."

Despite both turning out for Rangers and Dundee United during their playing days, McInnes and Pressley only played together once - for Scotland in a 2002 friendly defeat to Portugal.

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• None of the past 10 Scottish Premiership matches between Hearts and Dundee have been drawn (6 Hearts wins, 4 Dundee) since a 1-1 stalemate in October 2021.

• After their 1-0 victory in April, Dundee could pick up back-to-back away wins over Hearts in the top flight for the first time since December 1998.

• Hearts are unbeaten in 14 Premiership matches (W12 D2), since a 1-0 home loss to Dundee in April, winning eight of 10 games this season.

• Hearts' 26 points is their joint most at this stage of a top-flight campaign this century (also 26 in 2005-06), with Aberdeen last season the only non-Old Firm club to better that tally in the same period (28 points).

• Dundee are winless in all five of their away league games this season (D2 L3), their longest wait for a victory on the road from the start of a top-flight campaign since 2021-22 (won their sixth). The Dark Blues could lose four straight away games in the same Premiership season for the first time since December 2021/January 2022 (5).

• Hearts pair Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga are the joint top scorers in the Premiership this season with six goals each – Shankland will be aiming to score in three straight league outings for the first time since May 2024.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Hearts' winning run may have stalled in midweek, but a draw in Paisley is no disgrace and a six-point lead at the Premiership summit after 10 games is still the stuff of dreams.

To extend that gap further this weekend, Hearts must get the better of a familiar face.

On Saturday, former captain and co-manager (remember that one game during the Romanov era) Stephen Pressley will be welcomed back to Tynecastle as manager of Dundee.

At one point last Saturday his side were up to third place in the table, only to lose two second-half goals to Falkirk. Remarkably, they now sit second bottom.

The big question now for Derek McInnes is who he selects after fielding the same starting XI for six matches in a row.

This may be the opportunity for record signing Ageu to make his first start.

After suffering an injury in training that has limited the Brazilian midfielder to two substitute appearances, he now looks ready to play his part and show the Tynecastle fans what merited a fee of around £1.7m.

There are plenty others waiting patiently. Michael Steinwender, Elton Kabangu, Sabah Kerjota, Tomas Magnusson and Blair Spittal have all been warming the bench in recent weeks, while the likes of Alan Forrest and James Wilson haven't even made the matchday squad.

Landry Kabore got his chance off the bench against St Mirren and thought he'd scored the winner, only for the goal to be ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

Tinkering with a winning team is a nice problem to have for McInnes and with a busy period coming up in December and January, all these players will have their part to play.

Image source, SNS

Watford are among a host of Championship clubs tracking Hearts central defender Craig Halkett, with the 30-year-old out of contract at the end of the season. (Football League World), external

Jonathan Sutherland
BBC Sport Scotland

The link-up play between Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga belies a friendly rivalry between the two Hearts strikers.

Both were on target in the 2-2 draw with St Mirren, both are now on nine goals for the season, and both want to be the top scorer at the Premiership pacesetters.

"Maybe a little bit of healthy competition," admits Braga. "But of course, I was really happy when he scored and I know he was also really happy when I scored.

"It is a good thing that we are both unselfish in that way. We want each other to do well.

"I like to learn with him, he is a great guy also. We joke a lot. But also when he is serious he is serious."

Arriving from the Norwegian second division, Braga has been a revelation.

Along with Alexandros Kyziridis he has been a totem of the Jamestown Analytics model where talented players are plucked from relative obscurity for maximum impact.

Derek McInnes has worked wonders integrating these new additions with the high performers already at the club, the Braga-Shankland partnership the perfect example.

"Playing with him [Shankland] has helped me a lot to learn a lot of aspects, especially about Scottish football," the Portuguese added.

"Our link-up play is getting better because our connection is also getting better, getting routines, playing more games together.

"If he ends up being better on goals [scored] I'm happy. Of course, I want to be better than him, but only in a healthy way."

Hearts fans have taken to Braga's bright, intelligent attacking play and even have their own 'Radio Ga Ga' chant for him, to the tune of the Queen classic.

"Of course I am loving it, especially being part of such amazing team performances this season from the beginning," he said.

"I always wanted to come here, get good performances individual and collective, around the club it is really good, the players, the staff, the supporters."

We asked for your views on the 2-2 draw at St Mirren that narrowed Hearts' Premiership lead to six points.

Here's what some of you said:

Neil: Well it's without doubt that Hearts are now on the radar of clubs chasing them. We should have won against St Mirren regardless of the VAR decision. Anyway, win against Dundee and we are on the way again.

Stuart: Take the draw after that. Totally struggled with the long ball all night. Both centre-halves bullied and Killian Phillips for St Mirren was too physical for our midfield duo. On the positive Pierre Kabore did well when he came on and once again Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland linked up well.

Norrie: Apart from Motherwell, this was by far the biggest challenge we have faced in the opening games. St Mirren tested us to the max and we're unfortunate to only draw. The third goal they had disallowed is more than questionable but from my point of view, four points from Celtic and St Mirren, however it came, is a good haul. Still undefeated and still clear at the top, that's some going from a team that is still progressing.

Steve: I don't think we managed to get a handle on St Mirren playing long balls constantly, and I still thought we looked dangerous on the ball. Braga is outstanding and shows his honesty with his off-the-ball effort. In all honesty we could have lost this game but it just shows you these players will not accept defeat at any stage. Valuable point.

Jim: I had warned a trip to Paisley would be fraught with danger and so it proved. St Mirren at home is never an easy visit and other teams will find that fact out as well. However, we protected our unbeaten league record and have a very good chance of extending our lead over the next two weeks. Still need work defensively on set-plays, overall a very good week for our club.

Peter: A rollercoaster of a game, hugely enjoyable for the neutral and nerve-racking for both team's supporters! We could have won that game 4-2 or lost it by the same margin. Our defence was exposed and work to do there for sure, but our attacking prowess is immense! Good point gained against a good team, away from home.

Watch the highlights as St Mirren and Hearts each take a point from their midweek Scottish Premiership encounter (UK only).

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes: "In terms of chances created, we've hit the woodwork two or three times. I thought we were the better team in between the couple of poor goals we lose.

"We know what St Mirren are. They keep their two front men up and try to engage with them as quickly as possible. We're disappointed with the goals we lose, it's the first time we've looked susceptible from set-plays."

"Sometimes St Mirren put that pressure on you and you make poor decisions. But by and large I thought we were good in the game. We can't ignore the two goals we lose.

"I loved the way the team were at the end. The support stay there at the death because they feel another goal is coming. That's a great feeling to have as a manger, you feel the players are doing everything to get that winning goal.

"At no point did we accept just one point. It's important we win the game on Saturday now. If we do, this'll be seen as a decent point.

"If anyone told me at the start of the season that after 10 games we'd be six points clear of Celtic, you'd have grabbed that with both hands. That's where we are."

Hearts twice came from behind and had a potential late winner disallowed as their Scottish Premiership lead was cut to six points after an enthralling draw at St Mirren.

Have your say on the game here.

Read our match report here.