Craig Halkett is back looking at home in the centre of Hearts’ defence.
The experienced defender hasn’t had a lot of football after two serious injuries but was called upon in emergency against Aberdeen when both Stephen Kingsley and Frankie Kent went off injured.
He picked up a man-of-the-match award after an assured display and kept his place for the visit of Dundee at the weekend, one of the best players on the pitch in a 2-0 victory.
Kent is believed to be available again ahead of the Conference League clash with Copenhagen and Neil Critchley will have a decision to make over which two centre-backs to pick.
Based on Halkett’s performances he deserves to keep his place but he may not yet be ready to play three games in a week and could be kept in storage for the trip to Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Craig Halkett declared as Hearts’ best centre-back
Former Hearts teammate Andy Halliday insists he has believed all along Halkett remains their best option in the position.
Frankie Kent has done very well since being signed from Peterborough a year-and-a-half ago and is a fan favourite.
The Open Goal panel discussed this with Simon Ferry saying he has heard Hearts fans say they want those two to be the pairing ahead of Kye Rowles.
And Halliday declared: “I’ve said for months, you’ll find it in a past podcast. For me, when fit, Craig Halkett is Hearts’ best centre half.”
Asked if he is better than Kent, he went on: “I think he’s their best centre half, aye. I’ve said it for a long time.
“But again, obviously he had two bad injuries. The second one was his knee so he was out for a long time.
“I just expected, at the start of the season when Hearts didn’t start so well, Halks to get back in a lot sooner than he did.
“Kye Rowles, who has done well, made a couple of mistakes for goals.
“But sometimes that’s what you need as a player, somebody to come off injured to get your chance again.”
James Penrice Hearts’ best player by ‘comfortable distance’
James Penrice has been an impressive performer for the Tynecastle side since signing on a free from Livingston, linking up well with Blair Spittal down the left wing.
And Halliday feels he is their best player, adding: “Spitts has done really well but Penrice, for me, has been Hearts’ best player by a comfortable distance.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 6 |  DundeeDundee | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 27 | 29 | -2 | 19 |
| 7 |  ST MirrenST Mirren | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 19 | 26 | -7 | 18 |
| 8 |  Ross CountyRoss County | 16 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 30 | -18 | 15 |
| 9 |  ST JohnstoneST Johnstone | 16 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 18 | 29 | -11 | 14 |
| 10 |  KilmarnockKilmarnock | 16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 34 | -17 | 14 |
| 11 |  Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian | 16 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 25 | -7 | 13 |
| 12 |  HibernianHibernian | 16 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 28 | -10 | 12 |
“Every time I’ve watched Hearts he has been their standout player.
“Energy, athleticism, the amount of balls he’s flashed across the goal.”
Halliday has also made a bold Hearts prediction concerning Lawrence Shankland.