Head coach Derek McInnes says his side are full of belief as they prepare to travel to Pittodrie this weekend.
As another international break comes to an end, the men in maroon are about to begin a busy run of fixtures and the head coach sees focus and professionalism as the keys to positive results.
Speaking to the media at the pre-match press conference, he said:
“I think when the games come thick and fast, particularly during the festive period November, December, you want to be a team with real focus and real professionalism. I think it's important that we have that approach to these games.
“Obviously the first game at Pittodrie is going to really test our ability to get a result, because Aberdeen over the years is always a tough place to go to. They've picked up a bit in recent weeks and they're littered with good players.
“They've spent a lot putting that squad together and we understand it's going to be a tough game for us. But I don't have any fear going anywhere with my team. I feel as though we can go anywhere and have the belief that we can get a result.
“But we have to play well and it's up to us to make sure that we turn up, we're motivated to win the game and we play well. If we play well, we've got a chance.”
The Jambos will once again be backed by a sold-out away end and the head coach praised the support for having an impact on Hearts’ away form this season.
“I think having that away support there cannot be underestimated. When we turn up, there's a strong Hearts support there and again, it's going to be the same at Pittodrie. We've already sold out for Motherwell. So, I think these things all help in terms of creating an atmosphere.
“What we spoke about at the start of the season with the players was that every game presents us with three points. Obviously, no team can do what they want to do without a strong home record. But we've actually got to look at the away record and just really try and maximise the opportunity that's there for us and having that confidence.
“We've won at some tough places. We've won at some places that we've struggled at over the years. Sunday provides another opportunity to try and fly against the face of what has been recently.
“I don't know how long it's been, but I know it's been a while since Hearts won up at Pittodrie. But we look at ourselves, we look at our performances and there's no reason why we can't go and win if we play well.
“But we're up against a team who will be determined to put us in our place. There's always been that healthy rivalry between Hearts and Aberdeen being similar sized clubs and having similar ambitions.”
Lawrence Shankland and Craig Gordon played their part on international duty, and they returned to training today, along with Landry Kabore, who bagged yet another hat-trick for Burkina Faso.
“A brilliant, brilliant moment for them when they came in today, added McInnes. “We had a wee round of applause at the team meeting this morning.
“Along with Kabore, getting a hat-trick as well. The boys are on cloud nine at the minute and rightly so. I mean, we feel how excited we were that they were directly involved in it and part of a fantastic achievement for them to be involved in that.
“And now the real business starts are making sure your own game is really good and strong and having the best season possible and then try to cement their place in the squad now.”
In terms of the squad, Calem Nieuwenhof and Beni Baningime will miss out with injury meanwhile Craig Halkett is suspended, however Frankie Kent is available after injury and McInnes is delighted to have the defender back for selection.
“Calem Nieuwenhof and Beni Baningime are out, both with hamstring issues, as is Finlay Pollock and Craig Halkett is suspended.
“For all those qualities he's got, it's good to have Frankie back involved.
Always from the outside looking at him, I always thought Frankie was a top centre-back and obviously worked with him at the start of the season and he showed that. He was unfortunate to go out when he got injured, but he's come back fine. The only thing he's short of a wee bit is minutes at the minute, but he's got the experience, he's got the game to deal with that if we decide to put him in.”
You can watch Derek’s press conference in full on Hearts TV.
