Hearts play their first Scottish Cup tie of the season on Friday evening as they make the trip to Glebe Park.
Brechin City are the hosts for tonight’s fourth round clash and the Jambos will be hoping for a stress-free route into the next stage of the competition.
Hearts have, however, stumbled against lower league opposition in the past with the embarrassing defeat to Brora Rangers in 2020 still fresh in supporters’ minds.
With Hearts sitting second bottom in the Premiership at the moment, there’s no appetite for slipping up in the Scottish Cup as fans crave a welcome distraction from league duties.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 10 |  Ross CountyRoss County | 23 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 23 | 42 | -19 | 25 |
| 11 |  Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian | 23 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 25 | 31 | -6 | 24 |
| 12 |  ST JohnstoneST Johnstone | 23 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 25 | 47 | -22 | 15 |
Manager Neil Critchley will aim to find a balance between picking his most trusted stars while providing minutes for players who are not afforded too much game time.
Critchley delivers Calem Nieuwenhof Hearts update
One of those is Aussie midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof, although he has been prevented from playing due to a long-term injury sustained last March.
It’s been a long road back for Nieuwenhof, but Critchley has confirmed that the next stage for the 23-year-old is to now be involved in matchday squads.
That could mean a cameo against Brechin City tonight, with Critchley saying: “Calem’s getting closer all the time. I’d say the last six weeks we’ve been getting him up to speed in training.
“He’s doing extra physical work more than the players that have been training and playing. I have to say, day-by-day or week-by-week, he’s looking better all the time.
“The next stage for him now is to be part of the squad and get back to some minutes on the pitch. I know people spoke really well of him last season and the journey that he took and how he improved and progressed.
“I think Calem will probably need to go on that sort of journey again because of the length of time he’s been out. It’s just how we manage him in the next weeks and months ahead.”
Zander Clark or Craig Gordon for Brechin City vs Hearts?
Critchley also has a decision to make over who he starts in between the sticks against Brechin.
Zander Clark signed a new contract with Hearts this week but hasn’t played a single minute of football since Critchley was appointed boss at Tynecastle.
Craig Gordon is the undisputed No.1 and a coy Critchley claims it’s not easy to change goalkeepers, even against lesser opposition.
The boss said: “It’s not easy because obviously there’s not 10 outfield players. You’re fighting for one position and Craig has been fantastic since I’ve been here. His performances have been outstanding.
“I get to judge Zander on a daily basis in training, and I say that to the players all the time. You get a chance to audition every day.
“Training is really important. How are we training? Zander trains fantastically well, 100 per cent every day. He stays out afterwards. He helps out with all the extras. He has no ego. He’s a great guy.
“I’ve seen some of his performances from last season as well. He was in the Scotland squad and doing brilliantly well, so I’m fully aware of the capabilities of Zander and the qualities he possesses at this moment in time.
“He’s also behind Scotland’s No.1, and Craig’s been fantastic, so I’m in a fortunate position.”