Their summer recruitment has been lauded - and a fully revamped XI shows just how strong the current Hearts crop really are.
Investor Tony Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics has helped bring several new faces to Gorgie, with instant impacts made by the likes of Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis. McInnes opted for the same starting XI across six consecutive league games before making changes, but that doesn’t mean he’s reliant on a specific batch of stars.
Top of the Premiership table Hearts have options aplenty in all areas of the park, and a fully changed XI from the team that drew with Dundee United displays that fully. Not including any of those players or players with medium to long term injuries, here’s what a fully switched Hearts team could look like, and what it tells us about the side.
1. GK - Craig Gordon
Looks to be Scotland's number one but has been Schwolow's back-up this term. With Zander Clark, Harry Stone and Ryan Fulton also here, some quite staggering depth. | SNS Group
2. RB - Christian Borchgrevink
Summer signing's chances at right-back have been limited but comes from Scandinavia highly rated. | SNS Group
3. CB - Frankie Kent
Injuries have hit the defender but expected to be fit for the visit to Aberdeen. | SNS
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4. CB - Michael Steinwender
Has played between right-back and centre-half cover this season. Such is the depth here that Jamie McCart is still to be called upon. | SNS Group