Steven Naismith has confirmed Hearts will face St Johnstone in a closed-door game on Friday with the Premiership off this weekend due to the Scottish Cup.
The Jambos interim manager has revealed there will not be much time off for his side who will use the two-week period to get into a routine that works for his side. As part of the preparations his men will face Saints at Tynecastle with all members of the squad set for a run out in that friendly in the capital.
Hearts picked up a huge 6-1 win over Ross County on Saturday lunchtime to bring an end to a poor run of form. They find themselves five points behind Aberdeen in the race for third after the Dons picked up a seventh win on the trot with a 2-0 win over Rangers. The players will be off today but will train the rest of the week ahead of the bounce match.
READ MORE: Lawrence Shankland scoops Hearts awards as Zander Clark recognised at Player of the Year bash
Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Speaking to Edinburgh Evening News, he confirmed: “There isn't that much time off. We are still trying to get a routine here that works for us in terms of the way we play, and what we do in and out of possession. I'm not naive enough to think: 'Oh, we've won 6-1, we'll take some time off.' Players don't want that nowadays. They want to learn.
“As long as you are putting on good sessions and giving them content that makes them better players, they are happy to come in. It's not a case of giving them a week off because they've won. They will be in training this week.
“We've got a bounce game arranged for Friday at Tynie. That will be against St Johnstone and everybody in the squad will play. That gives me another chance to see how these guys can do in their preferred positions.
“The boys were in training on Sunday, we had our awards night on Sunday night, the boys are off Monday and then they are in the rest of the week. It's enjoyable work. We have all enjoyed being in. There have been long days, the players have had more meetings than normal, but the proof is in their performances. They are getting better.”
Hearts are awaiting to hear the schedule for their top six split run. They are set to come up against Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibs and St Mirren between now and the end of the season in the race to finish third and secure European football for next term.
READ NEXT:
- Steven Naismith praises Hearts' bravery as Jambos bounce back from derby day misery vs Ross County
- Hearts 6 Ross County 1 as losing run over in style, Naismith changes step up - 3 things we learned
- Robert Snodgrass vows to tell 'his side of the story' as he breaks Hearts exit silence
