Robbie Neilson has singled out chance creation as the most important aspect of Hearts ’ victory over Cove Rangers.
The Jambos scored three times without reply at Tynecastle through Andy Halliday, Liam Boyce and Gary Mackay-Steven.
But they could have added to the scoreline with Finlay Pollock, Michael Smith, Josh Ginnelly and Connor Smith all going close.
Fashioning opportunities is key as far as Neilson is concerned, especially if Hearts are to make the most of what they have in attack.
The front three of Ginnelly, Boyce and Mackay-Steven combines pace, power and guile, but if the team as a whole can’t break their opponents down then it won’t be of much use.
“It’s the most important thing for us,” said Neilson. “We’ve got pace and power up front, we’ve got goal scorers, we’ve got two wing backs that can get forward and we’ve got midfielders that can attack.
‘We’ve also got good players in defensive areas that can find the passes so for us it’s just about continuing to fine tune it.”
Boyce and Mackay-Steven made it two goals each in their last two games after finding the target during the 2-0 weekend win over Peterhead.
Next up is a home friendly with Sunderland, which Neilson will use to get more minutes into those who haven’t featured as much in the League Cup so far.
That could mean a return to action for the likes of Armand Gnanduillet and Jamie Walker, who both sat out the midweek clash.
Then it’s back to Premier Sports business before the big kick-off against Celtic on 31 July.
He told Hearts TV: “We’re playing with confidence but I think we need more. We’re starting to build things up with Sunderland on Saturday and we’ll make some changes.
“We then go to Stirling Albion away, at home to Inverness and then into a massive first game of the season.
“Last night was good, but I think we can be better.”
