Gary Mackay: How will Hearts set up at Celtic - and I hope Joel Pereira loan deal isn't muddying goalkeeping waters

Joel Pereira's form has come under question at Hearts. Pic: SNS

I will be really interested to see how Hearts go about their two games this week away to Celtic and at home against Hamilton.

Throughout our history, many managers have gone to Parkhead and sat deep with nine men behind the ball and one striker. I'm keen to see how this manager goes about his business in Glasgow. Then it's Hamilton at Tynecastle.

They are two very vital matches. We are into February now, the club are still bottom as things stand and there aren't a huge amount of games left until the split.

The bottom-six fixtures will become crucial, but the Hamilton game is a must-win for Hearts. Because of the Kilmarnock defeat last week at Tynecastle, this game becomes crucial. It's a six-pointer and a pressure match, however you want to label it. There is huge importance attached to this game and the St Mirren match coming up.

If you're a neutral going to watch Hearts right now, you aren't likely to be leaving after a snoozefest because there is always something going on. It's pleasant on the eye and some of the football is good to watch.

Unfortunately, we are still making mistakes defensively which have cost us in the league. The Kilmarnock game was a particular disappointment. With the style of play Daniel Stendel favours, if you get in front in a game then you could really kick on. So it's about that positive start, getting in front and going from there.

The goals conceded have brought a lot of attention on the goalkeeper, Joel Pereira. A lot of loan deals these days are financially based on the player playing for the loan club. I don't know if that's the case with Pereira or not. I just hope it isn't muddying the waters.

What I do know is that we have three keepers in the first-team squad just now and they are, to be brutally honest, not of the same standard as the top goalies we have had in the past.

Jon McLaughlin was a very good goalkeeper before he left for Sunderland and that's the kind of standard you want. The current trio are not quite at that level, but Pereira has been honest and said there has to be an improvement.

We certainly need that between now and the end of the season because Hearts simply must stay in the Premiership for next season.