Michael Smith hopes Hearts can head into the World Cup with renewed confidence after a demanding run of autumn fixtures.
The Jambos are within touching distance of third place, where they finished last season and obtained Europa Conference League group stage football. That Group A run has put a heavy burden of matches upon Robbie Neilson's men but they have coped well amid a testing run of fixtures every few days.
Now veteran full-back Smith wants to ensure Hearts aren't pondering a defeat over their four-week hiatus as Livingston come to Edinburgh this afternoon. The Northern Ireland international said ahead of the match at Tynecastle: "It’s been fine. There have been some good results and bad results, but I think we’re starting to pick up some form now. We’ve got one last game before the World Cup and we want to end it on a high. The group and coaching staff have been brilliant. The attitude has been spot-on. With the break coming, I think everyone needs a bit of a rest. We’ll come back in December, do a sort of mini pre-season, and then look forward to the rest of the season.
