Neil Critchley watched his side hit Dundee for six in their best performance of his tenure.
The Jambos were already sitting third in the form league table since the Englishman’s appointment and they continue to get better after ripping the Dee apart.
Lawrence Shankland fired them into an early lead before a Blair Spittal stunner doubled the advantage. An Elton Kabangu double took the new signing to five in four games, with Musa Drammeh and Kenneth Vargas also registering.
They remain unbeaten in 2025 and are now up to seventh in the table, just a point off the top six and five behind fourth-placed Aberdeen as things stand.
There is a far better feeling around the place and Critchley has admitted more signings could come in ahead of Monday’s deadline.
It comes after Kabangu and McCart contributed to the form with Michael Steinwender and Sander Kartum still to be integrated.
Critchley has praise for Hearts’ Shankland
Previously Hearts’ talisman and goal machine, Shankland has had a tough old season.
Today’s strike was just his fourth of the season after smashing in more than 50 in his first two campaigns at the club.
Shankland has previously spoken on fan abuse he received at times as he took the heavy burden of responsibility on his shoulders.
A few weeks out the time with a slight injury problem seems to have revitalised the number nine and his manager was delighted.
Asked on BBC Radio Scotland if Shankland is looking like the “real deal” again, Critchley said: “Yeah, and he’s looked like that in training. There was a big emphasis on him playing lots of minutes and lots of games, and maybe he just needed that little break to freshen himself up physically and mentally.
“In training he has looked sharper and sharper in his mind. When you’re sharper in your mind you move a little bit better and it’s no surprise he’s scored like that today.
“The first goal from Shanks is a brilliant strike, a proper goalscorer’s goal. Spitts feeds it into him and he doesn’t have a lot of room and just gets his shot off quickly off his left foot.”
Critchley’s thoughts on Hearts performance in Dundee trouncing
He added: “It’s not often you win away from home in the fashion we have done today. Some of the goals we scored were fantastic, especially the first three.
“And then we were clinical on the break as well. Kept a clean sheet, which is always a good sign.
“We’re in good form, playing well, but you still only get three points whether you win 1-0 or 6-0.”