Will Steven Naismith tinker with Hearts' shape for Ross County test?

Fast-forward to the present, though, and Saturday's clash at Tynecastle Park presents an altogether different challenge. The squads have changed and County will have a different manager in the away dugout - although those of a maroon persuasion will be hoping for another three points to strengthen Hearts' grip on third place.

Joel Sked and James Cairney talk us through their predicted line-ups below - and there is some disagreemet over what formation Hearts will line up in. 

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Joel Sked

Steven Naismith said after the Hibs game there wouldn't be much change to the squad for the clash with Ross County. Jorge Grant will miss out and it is unlikely that Liam Boyce will come into the team. But we also know that the Hearts head coach likes to make tweaks to his side from game to game, especially in the attacking roles.

With that in mind, there will likely be a place for either Alex Lowry or Barrie McKay to start in a central midfield role with one of Aidan Denholm or Calem Nieuwenhof dropping out. I'd expect the former to be on the bench after being subbed at half-time, but my preference would be for Denholm to start. We saw the impact he had with his direct running against St Mirren. The other likely change is Kenneth Vargas coming in for Alan Forrest. The latter is a player who I can see playing in the big matches, against Hibs, Celtic, Rangers and even Aberdeen. But against the division's lesser teams being used off the bench where he can impact games with his direct approach if needed. Vargas would freshen the attack up and could pose the threat with his pace to the big Ross County backline.

At the back, Craig Halkett could come in to give Hearts more aerial power against Jordan White. A striker who has an excellent record against Hearts with five goals in 15 appearances. Who drops out? Possibly Stephen Kingsley. The versatile defender has had a couple of knocks this season and it is important he stays fully fit when Kye Rowles goes to the Asian Cup.

Now, there is a part of me that wouldn't be surprised to see Hearts go with a 4-2-3-1 following the midweek change and Alex Cochrane's midfield performance. Something along the lines of: Clark; Atkinson, Kent, Rowles, Kingsley; Baningime, Cochrane; Oda/Vargas, Lowry, McKay; Shankland.

But...

Predicted line-up: Clark; Kent, Halkett, Rowles; Baningime; Atkinson, Nieuwenhof, Lowry, Cochrane; Shankland, Vargas.

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James Cairney

I think we could see Naismith tinker with the team’s shape for this one. Since Derek Adams has taken the reins in Dingwall, County have usually set up in a 3-4-1-2 formation and can look a little vulnerable down the flanks. For this reason, I expect Hearts to line up in a 3-4-3 to gain the numerical advantage out wide. And with County likely to sit deep, squeezing an extra attacker or two into the starting line-up certainly wouldn’t hurt.

After his heroics in the derby, I can’t see Zander Clark being dropped. Craig Gordon casts a rather large shadow at Tynecastle Park but with Clark recording three clean sheets in as many games, it would be exceptionally harsh to drop the former St Johnstone goalkeeper. Ahead of him, I think we’ll see the usual back three of Stephen Kingsley, Frankie Kent and Kye Rowles, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see Craig Halkett restored to the starting XI. County like to shell balls into the opposition box, and Halkett’s ability in the air is an excellent way to counteract this threat.

Alex Cochrane and Nathaniel Atkinson will surely occupy the two wing-back roles and in his current form, Beni Baningime is one of the first names on the team sheet. The question of who partners him is an intriguing one, with Aidan Denholm and Calem Nieuwenhof vying for the position. I think we’ll see Denholm given the nod – he should have plenty of gas in the tank after being brought off at the break against Hibs, and Nieuwenhof wasn’t at his best at Easter Road.

Naturally, Lawrence Shankland will lead the line in attack, and I think he will be supported by Barrie McKay and Yutaro Oda on either side. With County likely to sit deep, having technical wingers who are good with the ball at their feet, who can keep the ball under pressure, would go a long way to helping Hearts become more of a threat in the final third.

Predicted line-up: Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Atkinson, Baningime, Denholm, Cochrane; Oda, Shankland, McKay.