The busy schedule does not relent for Heart of Midlothian. The last two weeks have contained midweek fixtures and it is the same for the coming week.

Heidenheim are at Tynecastle Park on Thursday – but with maximum points from their opening two Conference League and just one Scottish Premiership win this season, the priority for Hearts is no doubt the league fixtures either side.

After that there will be an international break before a midweek-heavy calendar kicks in once again.

That is not to say a ‘reserve’ side will be sent out to be lambs to the slaughter against the Bundesliga outfit next week. But it is likely the squad will be "managed" so that a competitive side takes on the Germans and as close to maximum points as possible are taken from the two games.

A week on Saturday is a trip to Ibrox. Hearts haven’t won there since 2014 but Rangers are currently in some of their worst form in years.

Before that, and ahead of the next Conference League match, is a trip to Perth to face a resurgent St Johnstone on Saturday.

With dangerous forwards in their ranks, Simo Valakari has taken an attacking approach since taking over, so Hearts will need to cut out the defensive lapses that saw Kilmarnock take three points from Tynecastle.

Saturday may suit Hearts more than Wednesday night’s defeat in which the Jambos struggled to break down Derek McInnes’s men.

That means Alan Forrest could retain his position on either of the wings, with he and Kenneth Vargas encouraged to use their pace to take advantage on attacking transitions. Forrest has scored in his last two starts while Yan Dhanda has lost his form from a few weeks ago.

In midfield, Beni Baningime will start if fully fit after recovering from illness. His absence has been sorely missed: a draw and a defeat since he and Malachi Boateng struck up an understanding in the middle of the park.

Will Hearts stick with largely the same line-up?Will Hearts stick with largely the same line-up? (Image: BeFunky)

Expect one change in defence: Daniel Oyegoke for Adam Forrester. James Penrice has perhaps been Hearts’ most consistent player So few changes after a defeat may raise an eyebrow or two but it is largely the XI that brought success in Neil Critchley’s first two matches in charge. And, as mentioned above, bringing just one player back – Baningime – makes a huge difference.