Heart of Midlothian are back under the lights at Tynecastle Park for what could be a very special European night.

Neil Critchley's men face Bundesliga side Heidenhim in the third Conference League fixture and the team know that a positive result will all but secure a place in the competition's knockout stage.

Hearts are expected to require just seven points for progression and already have six following wins over Dinamo Minsk and Omonia Nicosia. A win would make finishing in the top eight spots, earning direct qualification to the last-16, a distinct possibility.

That being said, the team who finished eighth in the Bundesliga stand in the way this evening prior to trips to face Cercle Brugge and Copenhagen.

It will be a different match to the one that brought a spirited, enthusiastic, and successful performance in the 2-0 win over Omonia last time out. Critchley got his tactics spot on that evening, the team playing different formations in and out of possession while suffocating the life out of the Cypriots early on.

Unlike Omonia, Heidenheim won't look to build from deep and control possession. That could determine the make-up of the team's attack and the choice between two players. Does Yan Dhanda's ability on the ball and willingness to keep possession get him the nod over Alan Forrest's more direct qualities?

Critchley spoke in the build-up of the team needing to be wary of where and when they lose the ball. Heidenheim are strong on the counterattack and will look to pounce when they see an opportunity.

What may see Forrest get the nod over Dhanda, providing Kenneth Vargas comes back into the starting XI is that it would perhaps give Critchley more flexibility. 

Hearts could then move between a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-5-2 when the game situation requires, whether it is in or out of possession.

(Image: Hearts Standard)

James Penrice can push up on the left, Vargas moves infield to partner Lawrence Shankland ahead of Blair Spittal. On the other side, Forrest can act as a wing-back with Daniel Oyegoke tucking in as a third centre-back, arguably his strongest position.

Of course, Critchley has been keen to rotate his full-backs, namely at right-back so it wouldn't be a huge surprise if Adam Forrester was to start.

Now, it could be argued that eight players pick themselves. Craig Gordon, who will make his 300th appearance, will be behind Frankie Kent and Kye Rowles. James Penrice has, like Malachi Boateng, been consistently very good. Beni Baningime demonstrated his importance against St Johnstone. Then Spittal and Shankland.

However, there may be a discussion over Stephen Kingsley. He came in for Penrice in the previous European fixture. But there may be a question over whether he replaces Rowles. The Aussie didn't have the best of times against St Johnstone and could see Critchley consider a switch. At the same time, Rowles is perhaps more suited to European football and does provide a balance alongside Frankie Kent.