Dundee head coach, Steven Pressley, is confident his men can rise to the occasion when they visit Tynecastle in the William Hill Premiership on Sunday (15.00).
The former Hearts defender have had an up and down season so far, suffering a narrow defeat to champions, Celtic, beating Aberdeen and Dundee United before being edged 2-1 by Hibs at Dens Park last Sunday.
They also drew 1-1 with St Johnstone in midweek, going in front late-on but letting a goal in during injury time to sit fifth in the 12-strong table.
Hearts moved third with their 3-1 victory over Hibs at Easter Road on Thursday, and Tynecastle is buzzing.
Pressley is expecting “a very difficult game” at Tynecastle, one his football home, but he added: “We have proved in the past that we are capable of going to some of the more daunting venues and giving the right performance.”
The 52-year-old, Elgin-born head coach, who made over 250 appearances for Hearts, and skippered the club to win the Scottish Cup Final in 2006, also made 32 international appearances, before moving into coaching.
His previous job was head of individual player development at English Premiership side Brentford, and he enjoyed a positive win at United and wants to record another win away from Dens Park at Tynecastle.
The statistics indicate that Hearts have won eight of the last ten meetings, loosing twice, scoring 24 goals and letting in seven with six clean sheets against one.
And the Jambos, who have yet to issue an injury report on Blair Spittal (pictured from last season), who wore a protective boot and was on crutches after the victory at Easter Road, have won their last nine home games in the league and beat Dundee in all three of their league meetings last season.
So, big numbers against the men from Dens Park. Kick-off 15.00.
