Why Hearts boss Robbie Neilson enjoys Friday night games

Robbie Neilson is enjoying Friday night games. Picture: SNS

Tonight’s clash with Queen of the South is the team’s fifth of 16 leagues games to be played on a Friday evening in front of the BBC Scotland cameras.

Neilson has spoken previously about his belief that Hearts are picked for these fixtures with the hope there is a surprise result.

However, he sees their advantage, especially with no crowds.

"We know going down to Palmerston, it is a difficult place to go at the best of times, never mind in the middle of winter when it is freezing conditions," he said.

“Very rarely do we get a Friday night game when we are at home to one of the teams down the bottom of the league.

"It's always a difficult game away from home, whether it be a difficult opponent or a difficult venue.

"It's just part and parcel being one of the favourites in the league that you have to deal with that.”

He added: “To be honest, I quite enjoy Friday night games.

"You go into these games on a Saturday when there's no atmosphere because of fans but when you have that build-up of coming to the stadium, the floodlights are on, the TV cameras are there you've got a wee bit more of a build-up.

"From my perspective I enjoy it because there is more pressure on us in these games because they are on TV but that's part and parcel of being at Hearts.”