Livingston arrive at Tynecastle (15.00) on Saturday for their William Hill Premiership clash after what their manager David Martindale said was “possibly our worst performance of the season”.
The 3-1 home reverse to Dundee United on Tuesday hurt. Emerging pointless from the clash means The Lions are four points adrift of second bottom Kilmarnock at the bottom of the 12-strong table.
What’s more, they are nine behind third bottom St Mirren and ten adrift of Dundee and, looking back on the United game, Martindale said: “It’s definitely our worst home performance. We’ve been fairly competitive at home. Tonight we weren’t.”
Straight-talking Martindale told BBC Sport Scotland: “The first goal went in and then we just felt sorry for ourselves and there was just an acceptance. I feel we were lucky to go in at half time 1-0 down and, honestly, it could have been worse.”
He was critical of the three goals conceded, claiming they were avoidable, and Martindale said that Tuesday was the first time so far this term that he could question the players. He now wants his men to put that showing behind them.
They trained on Wednesday and the United game was looked at in depth.
Realistically, the West Lothian side must turn the tide soon. They have not won since August 9. Can they achieve that at Tynecastle? Well, Hearts top the table with 41 points, three ahead of Celtic who host Rangers on Saturday, but The Hoops lost 2-0 at Motherwell in midweek. Both Hearts and Celtic have played 19 games.
The third-placed Ibrox men are six behind the Men in Maroon after their midweek win over St Mirren and Hearts go into the game on a downer following their 3-2 reverse at Easter Road.
Tynecastle boss, Derek McInnes, could give a debut to new, 22-year-old, Dutch-born, right-back Jordi Altena, however, the Gorgie boss had previously intimated that Islam Chensnokov may play a part against the men from West Lothian. That will now be delayed as the winger is not due to arrive in Scotland’s capital until Friday.
Statistics favour the Jambos who have won three of their last five, and drawing the other. They have scored 38 goals and let in 17. Livingston have only gathered a point from their last five and have netted on 20 occasions and let in 39, the worst defensive record in the division, but McInnes’ men can’t afford a slip-up against struggling Livi with the Old Firm not far behind.
FLASHBACK: Action from Hearts at Easter Road in the Capital derby
