Under normal circumstances, you’d expect wholesale changes to the Hearts team after their embarrassment in Brora on Tuesday night.
However, Robbie Neilson doesn’t have that luxury against Queen of the South given a shortage of numbers, so many of those who failed to overcome their part-time opponents in midweek will be tasked with getting the job done at Tynecastle.
A win would leave them needing just three points to secure the Championship title.
Craig Gordon and Michael Smith remain away with Scotland and Ireland on international duty, while Steven Naismith won’t start training again until next week.
That means Ross Stewart will continue in goals, although how the right back issue is dealt with remains to be seen after the Craig Halkett experiment didn’t work in the Highlands.
Aaron McEneff’s midfield displays in the last couple of weeks haven’t been great, but he could be used as a right back as a one-off until Smith returns, or Aidy White could be shifted over if Stephen Kingsley returns from a groin injury.
Mihai Popescu may return purely as a result of not being part of the Scottish Cup shambles, so there are at least options at centre back.
Gervane Kastaneer was handed a start but was hooked at half-time and it would be a major shock if he was in from the start against the Doonhamers again.
Gary Mackay-Steven was Hearts’ best player although it was an extremely low bar. Nonetheless, he probably deserves to keep his place.
Calls for Jamie Walker to finally be included in the starting XI were answered but the number ten failed to deliver.
Andy Halliday returns from suspension and will likely be reinstalled to the midfield.
Liam Boyce was Kastaneer’s replacement at the break and while he didn’t have a good night, he remains Hearts’ biggest goal threat so will likely be back in the team
Predicted Hearts team: Stewart, White, Halkett, Popsecu, Kingsley, Halliday, Irving, McEneff, Mackay-Steven, Boyce, Gnanduillet.
How would you line up against Queens? Pick your team using the team selector widget above.
Get all the latest Hearts news sent directly to your inbox by signing up for the Edinburgh Live Hearts newsletter.
