"You just have to be honest. These decisions are not personal. It’s a footballing decision and I’m very clear that week to week it could change. Gone are the days of rolling out the same team all the time and that gets you your win."

Heart of Midlothian head coach Steven Naismith offered an insight into the decision making when it comes to selecting his starting XI. He will judge each game on its own, choosing his team depending on the opponent. Just because one player didn't start against team X, doesn't mean they will also be on the bench against team Y.

Therefore it becomes difficult predicting the Hearts line-up from week to week. Recently it has been much easier to decide on the system with Naismith having preferred the back three. Yet, with players returning from injury and the switch to a back four at half-time against Rangers, there is every chance that becomes part of his selection now as well.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith Q&A: Hearts competition, goal issue and Aberdeen expectation

Still, as a defensive unit, the back three provides the best foundation for the team to get results in the short-term. 

Providing Naismith sticks with the back three as Hearts go in search of their first win at Pittodrie since Abiola Dauda scored a winner seven years, six months, 10 visits and 23 strikers ago, there are arguably six decisions that need to be made.

First is between the sticks. Comments made by Naismith on Thursday suggests Zander Clark will continue as No.1 despite the return of Craig Gordon. Some of the criticism of the ex-St Johnstone goalkeeper has been OTT but he didn't cover himself in glory against Rangers while, at the same time, producing key saves. There will be a pressure and expectation on him if he continues with Gordon waiting in the wings.

Frankie Kent and Kye Rowles have started every game, whether in a back four or back three. Both have had good seasons and complement one another. Now Craig Halkett is back there is a natural right-footed option on the right-hand side of the defence. Yet, Stephen Kingsley has been very good this season and has been part of a defence which has conceded twice in the last five games.

Halkett is underrated on the ball, especially advancing in possession and being able to provoke pressure but also evade it.

There could well be three of five roles up for grabs in midfield with Naismith keen to rotate. Beni Baningime seems to be in the ever-present-if-fit camp alongside the likes of Kent and Shankland. A tidy recycler of the ball and shrewd interceptor. Does Naismith go for a more creative midfield against what could be a stuffy Aberdeen side or more mobility to go up against someone like Graeme Shinnie?

READ MORE: How Rangers loss showed the two sides of Hearts: Pressing but not enough chances

Going down the latter route, with Cammy Devlin out injured, will see Calem Nieuwenhof joined by one of Jorge Grant, who was good in the first half before being replaced, Alex Lowry or Barrie McKay. Writer James Cairney explored how the latter would fit into that system and role following his return from injury.

At right wing-back there are three options. Nathaniel Atkinson is the most natural fit but does he start two games in the space of a week having returned from injury? If not, it will be a decision between the defensive solidity of Toby Sibbick and the more forward-thinking option of Alan Forrest.

Aberdeen are susceptible to pace down the sides of their centre-backs. It should mean a decision between Kenneth Vargas and Kyosuke Tagawa to partner Lawrence Shankland, even if Liam Boyce does make it.

Plenty to consider. No matter what, there will be options should Naismith need to turn to the bench.

Predicted XI: Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Baningime; Atkinson, Nieuwenhof, Lowry, Cochrane; Shankland, Vargas.

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