On Saturday, Yan Dhanda would get in his car after Heart of Midlothian's 1-1 draw with Ross County on Saturday to hear an honest appraisal of his and the team's performance by his Hearts-mad uncle.

With family members as huge fans, the summer signing will know better than most within the dressing room the feeling amongst fans after the club have started the campaign without a win in the opening 10 fixtures. The worst start to a season ever.

"He tells me what he thinks," Dhanda said. "He's obviously disappointed when we don't win games.

"It ruins his weekend when we don't win games. Obviously that's just how the fans are. He'll let me know.  I'm used to it because he's a big Hearts fan."

At least there was a modicum of positivity compared to the previous eight games. Lawrence Shankland's stoppage-time equaliser put an end to a run of eight straight defeats.

The hope is that goal, that moment can kick start something in the team. Starting with Dinamo Minsk on Thursday evening in the Conference League encounter.

“Yes, I think that," Dhanda said of the monkey perhaps being off the team's back. "We played some good football but we know we need to start winning games.

"We were losing the game, so it's probably positive that we get a draw out of the game. But at the same time, we should be winning these games at home.

“So, no, we showed on Saturday how good we can be in possession and I'm sure the goals will start coming now.

"It's definitely a step in the right direction. I think we just build on this now and keep going from here.”

The expectation was that Yan Dhanda would provide the team with a greater attacking spark. The playmaker arrived from Ross County with a degree of fanfare and expectation.

Last season the 25-year-old was one of the most productive in the league at setting up team-mates for chances. Yet, so far, his impact has been minimal. He has featured in all but one of the team's 10 fixtures but started just three and in a different position in each of those. 

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His standing is still high amongst the club's support. Twice this season fans expressed their frustration at his removal while there is still a buzz when he warms up as a substitute.

"I love this club," Dhanda said. "I just want to play games and show what I can do.

"Any opportunity, I want to get on the pitch and show what I'm about. So, yes, it's nice to know that the fans really support me.”

He added: "Foxy's been really good since he came in. Like I said, the messages are clear and there's a freedom to go and play and get on the ball. It's really good for me. I'm excited."

That opportunity could come in Azerbaijan, at the Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium, when Hearts take on Dinamo Minsk in the Conference League.

It will be a new experience for Dhanda. His only previous European experience arrived as a young boy on the books of West Brom when he travelled to Romania to participate in a tournament, coming up against Rangers' Ianis Hagi.

"I'm really excited for Thursday," he said. "I think we do need to focus on the league as well and start climbing up the table and I'm sure we will.

"Hopefully, I can play in Europe and show what I'm about. It was a big part of me coming here.

“I think everyone in football wants to play in European competition. So, when Hearts are in it and you get an opportunity to play for Hearts, at any point to play for Hearts is something everyone wants to do, especially in Scotland. 

“So, when they're in Europe as well, it's so appealing because everyone wants to play in the biggest competition. I can't wait.”

Europe presents an opportunity to not only take a break from the poor start to the league but also an opportunity to progress to the knockout stage. Hearts could achieve that with six or seven points but it would mean that a result on Thursday is important.

"I think we have to keep playing well," Dhanda said. "We have to keep working hard because we've seen the past few months that no game is going to be easy. Everyone wants to beat Hearts because we're a big club.

"We have to be focused. We have to keep learning from the staff, no matter who it is. We have a good group in there and everyone sticks together. It's a really good to support each other.

"They've made it easy for me and the new signings are coming in. I'm sure we'll start building from Saturday. I think it's going up now."