Heart of Midlothian will remain on UK time during their stay in Azerbaijan for the Conference League clash with Dinamo Minsk as interim head coach Liam Fox explained the plans were put in place prior to the dismissal of Steven Naismith last month.

The team flew to Baku, landing late on Tuesday night local time and trained at the Mehdi Huseynzade Stadium in Sumqayit, north of the country's capital, on Wednesday night ahead of Thursday's encounter.

Scotland did similar when they travelled to Kazakhstan under Alex McLeish in a Euro qualifier in 2019 only to lose 3-0.

"Coming out the day earlier was all in place before I came into this interim position," Fox explained. "We've just gone with what was in place and planned before. It's three hours of a difference. We're hoping that when we come back, it'll have an effect on the recovery period. We're looking forward to Sunday.

"At the moment, all we're focusing on is tomorrow night against a very tough opponent. We've done a good bit of work on them. I think what's really important for me is that the focus is always on us.

"Being in this interim period for however long it may be, we can look at all different other teams. We can look and watch loads of footage and we can show the players loads of bits and pieces. But what is most important is how we are - how we are in possession and how we are out of possession and how we go after the game."

He added: "In the last couple of days, we've done the majority of our planning and preparation. Just a lighter session tonight.

"Again, the attitude of the players has been really, really good. Then we'll have a bit of time tomorrow, if there's anything we need to touch up on. Then we'll be ready to go and come kick off tomorrow night."

Fox confirmed Malachi Boateng, Yutaro Oda and Andres Salazar were left out of the squad on Saturday for the Scottish Premiership clash with Ross County for selection reasons. All are expected to return to the bench against Dinamo Minsk with the club able to name a bigger squad.

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"It was just a selection thing," he confirmed. "It probably highlights the strength of the squad and the depth of the squad.

"These guys were naturally disappointed, which we want. We want players that want to play and want to be involved. But ultimately you can only pick a squad for a matchday and there's going to be people missing out. And unfortunately, that is just the situation that we're in.

"Everybody is fit and healthy so I have some selection headaches, which is good. We'll see where we are tomorrow night and see what team we put out. As I said last week, it's a big squad. There's a lot of talent. There's a lot of quality. Action and applications have been good. Training sessions have been good they're giving me decisions to make, which is good."

On a personal level, Thursday night represents a big step for Fox who was managing Hearts B against Broomhill last month in the Lowland League.

He'll now lead the team for a Conference League fixture following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Ross County at Tynecastle Park.

"It's a fair jump," he said. "But as I've said, I'm just really enjoying this experience. It's a privilege to be here, an honour to be here. We'll do everything we can to help the players. As I said last week, I feel that's my job, to help players. That's how I see coaching and management.

"We'll do everything we can to be ready for tomorrow night, for a tough opponent. But I've got belief in the group. We've seen on Saturday moments that we're hopefully taking a wee step. So we're looking forward to the game.

"I think the feeling in the group is that it's exciting. The players worked so hard to get to this opportunity, to get to this level, they had a brilliant season last year. We're going to enjoy this, but the best way of enjoying it is putting on a performance. You put on a performance, you get your best chance of taking three points."

Doing so would give fans back home something to cheer and end the team's winless run to start the season. 

"I think a lot of these boys have played during the Covid time," he said of the game being played behind closed doors. "Are we going to miss the supporters? Absolutely. Because of what they bring in, the energy they bring in. They're a big, big miss to us, we're aware of that.

"You've got two ways of looking at things. You can mump and moan about it, or you can just get on with it. It's a situation, and it's just another challenge for us to overcome.

"We're conscious that there will be loads of Hearts supporters in pubs and homes, back at home. We can never promise that we're going to win, but we'll do everything we can to try and get that win."