Inside Blair Spittal's best game of his Hearts career

But it was also something that Liam Fox and his coaching staff had pinpointed as an area where they could get joy. Especially in the second phase. Blair Spittal in particular.

On four of the five corners the midfielder could be seen prowling the edge of the box. Pacing, watching, waiting for the ball to come his way.

Just past the hour mark it did. Finally. 

Spittal's positioning at corners (Image: Wyscout) Dimitar Mitov had pushed a James Penrice corner away from his six-yard box. Spittal pounced on the ball to the left, 25 yards out. His first touch was perfect, not only pushing the ball onto his stronger right foot but seeing it sit up perfectly before he rifled the most perfect of shots into the corner past the helpless Bulgarian. 

Off he went. Haring up the touchline to the jubilant 1,700-strong away support.

"It was something that we spoke about before the game, the way Aberdeen defended corners," Spittal said. "The ball worked its way out to the edge of the box and we get shots away – luckily it's went in.”

There was nothing lucky about it. Planned and executed.

Unfortunately for Hearts it was not the winner. Nor was it enough to earn a point, the least they performance merited, as they fell to a 3-2 defeat.

On a personal level, it was Spittal's best performance in a Hearts jersey. There was a strong cameo at Celtic Park. Another decent substitute appearance against Ross County. He grew into a performance in the win over Dinamo Minsk, playing with purpose. But it all came together at Pittodrie.

"Coming into a new club, I said at the time that I wanted to establish myself in a good team," he said. "It was going to take a bit of time to adjust. I've felt myself being in or out but hopefully that was a sign of things to come."

It was a catch-22 situation under Steven Naismith. Players, especially in the middle to front positions, found themselves in and out. On one hand you could say those players required continuity. On the other, performances didn't quite dictate that.

Spittal, who admitted he has "felt good... doing what Foxy has asked of me", has found himself in more natural surroundings in recent weeks. 

"I found myself earlier in the season playing a lot deeper," he explained. "Playing in the higher, sort of No.8 position gives me licence to connect with the players higher up the park."

He added: "Just in terms of the ideas he's brought in, him and Waldo [Lee Wallace] and Angus [Beith]. Fresh ideas. It's obviously unfortunate the way things worked out for the old manager, but Foxy's simplified a lot of things that needed to be worked on.

"I think we looked more like a team on Sunday and on Thursday. I think you could see that in terms of chances created. We caused Aberdeen a lot of problems.”

Spittal was central to a lot of that.

Played on the left of the central midfield three, he was making passes from a higher and more central position than he has in a league match he has started during his time at Hearts.

The 28-year-old was the focus of attention on these pages following the loss to Dundee United at Tynecastle Park earlier this season. It should be noted that the midfield three and set-up against Jim Goodwin's men was exactly the same as against Aberdeen and Spittal was playing as a No.8. He started brightly with purpose and an intention to be positive that afternoon. But as the first half progressed he played safer and safer.

Against Aberdeen, no Hearts player made more passes into the box or more passes in the final third than Spittal. It may be somewhat of a surprise to discover that it was the same against United. 

What is perhaps the biggest distinction between both performances is the tempo with which Hearts played with. They moved the ball quicker when they got it. They were more direct.

(Image: Wyscout) Within the first minute Spittal looked to release Lawrence Shankland first time. It didn't come off but it was encouraging nonetheless. 

Playing forward and quickly was key. 

In the first half Spittal had 21 passes. All 21 were either one-touch or two-touch. Of those 21, 14 were forward. It meant he had to be prepared to lose the ball with the forward pass more difficult and the riskier option. But if the ball was lost the reaction was positive, looking to win it back as quickly as possible. 

He tries to thread the needle to find Grant.

(Image: Wyscout) But it doesn't come off so he goes hunting.

(Image: Wyscout) Watching Spittal closely, he is someone who will go demanding the ball. Arms outstretched directed towards his feet. He wants to make something happen.

That was the case after the break before his goal. He spots space and wants a pass from Boateng.

(Image: Wyscout) It doesn't arrive so he keeps searching, this time getting the ball from Vargas and playing a first-time pass around the corner to free Grant in the box.

(Image: Wyscout) Spittal isn't a quick player but he's busy and works hard. It's on the ball where he can be a difference maker. An intelligent operator, he wants to be positive and push the team forward, and he has an eye for goal that is most welcome in any midfield and in any team, especially one that has been reliant on the goals of one man in the past two campaigns.

Like many within the squad, Hearts fans will have questioned the merit of individuals. Spittal has been no different. 'Is he good enough to step up from Motherwell to Heart of Midlothian?'

Sunday's performance very much suggested the answer to that question being an emphatic yes.