Hearts have drawn two of their last three matches and they face a tricky return to domestic duty after the international break against an Aberdeen side anxious to move further up the William Hill Premiership table.
The Men in Maroon travel to Pittodrie on Sunday (15.00) with a record of four wins each in the last ten meetings. Hearts have scored 13 goals in those games with Jimmy Thelin’s men having netted 12.
The Jambos are, however, unbeaten in three league meetings with The Dons and the Capital combine and lead the chasing pack by seven points with Celtic second on 23.
McInnes’ men have played 12 fixtures, a game more than the Parkhead team, but have scored 29 goals and lost ten. Celtic have scored 20 and let in eight while Sunday’s opponents sit eighth in the 12-strong league with 11 points from the same number of games. They have scored eight times and conceded 12.
The visitors will receive vociferous backing from travelling fans as Hearts’ allocation for Pittodrie is sold out.
Meanwhile, Islam Chesnokov is set to join the Jambos early next month after the player signed a pre-contract agreement.
Chesnokov had a long chat with Jambos head coach, Derek McInnes, recently and the club anticipate he will be ready for selection at the start of the New Year.
Graeme Jones (pictured), Hearts’ sporting director, told Hearts TV that the player is excited to be joining the current league pace-setters and the club are keen to make the transition for the 25-year-old as smooth as it can possibly be.
