Could Hearts youngster be set for debut against Motherwell?

Steven Naismith's side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Rangers in the Viaplay Cup semi-finals in their previous outing, and will be looking to get back to winning ways against the Steelmen. Motherwell, meanwhile, are without a victory since sealing a 1-0 success at Tynecastle Park back in September.

With a daunting fixture list laying in wait, Naismith will be keen to get points on the board as quickly as he can. Saturday's trip to Fir Park presents a fine opportunity to do just that - but the head coach has one or two big decisions to make.

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Joel Sked

On a personal level I'd like to see an attacking line-up, whether that be in a back three or back four. I think it is a sentiment that will be shared by every Hearts fan making their way to Fir Park on Saturday afternoon. Now, deciding on the system which that operates within is a different matter. I can see merits in both a back three or a flat back four. The issue with the personnel currently available is it can strengthen one area and make another more vulnerable and vice-versa.

In terms of what  Naismith picks, I wouldn't be surprised to see a return to a back four. The reason for that is two-fold and regards the way Motherwell play. The Steelmen will likely continue with a 3-5-2 and there are two specific areas where Hearts could get joy. Firstly, Stuart Kettlewell doesn't have a No.6 in the traditional sense. His midfield options feature a lot of guys who are more No.8 or No.10 types. Callum Slattery is all-action but not a sitter, while neither Harry Paton or Blair Spittal will offer an abundance of defensive protection. Therefore someone like Alex Lowry or Liam Boyce could thrive in the space behind the midfield similar to how the on-loan Rangers star did against Hibs. The other area where Hearts could get joy is behind the wing-backs if they are pushed up the pitch. That's why it could be shrewd to go with two wide men who could provide directness and pace, namely Alan Forrest and Yutaro Oda with Kenneth Vargas as an option off the bench. Oda on the left with Forrest right to offer more protection.

Behind the attacking quartet of Oda, Forrest, Lawrence Shankland and Lowry or Boyce should be Cammy Devlin and Calem Nieuwnhof. They will provide the energy required against a midfield three and provides an option of bringing Beni Baningime on when the team are hopefully in front and want more controlled possession.

As for the defence, the big decisions surround the full-backs. Odel Offiah is not available which suggests Toby Sibbick will start at right-back but Adam Forrester should be a serious option, He is someone Naismith knows well and has impressed for the B team. At left-back Stephen Kingsley could get the nod owing to Motherwell's physicality and directness in the attack in Mika Biereth and Conor Wilkinson.

Predicted line-up: Clark; Forrester, Kent, Rowles, Kingsley; Devlin, Nieuwenhof; Forrest, Lowry, Oda; Shankland.

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James Cairney

I expect we’ll see Naismith opt for a 4-2-3-1 for Saturday’s trip to Lanarkshire as it’s crucial that Hearts seize the initiative and get points on the board ahead of a demanding fixture list.

Zander Clark will start in goals, that much is obvious, and the threadbare nature of the defence means that the back four all but picks itself. Offiah and Nathaniel Atkinson’s absences make Sibbick a shoo-in on the right, although it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Forrester come off the bench to make his senior debut. Sibbick isn’t in the best of form, but I’d be surprised to see Naismith throw Forrester in at the deep end in such an important match.

Frankie Kent and Kye Rowles will surely form the centre-back partnership, and I think Kingsley will get the nod at left-back ahead of Alex Cochrane. The Englishman has been playing fairly well lately but I think Kingsley offers more defensive solidity, and that’s something that will be required against Motherwell. Ahead of the defence, I think we’ll see Devlin recalled to the starting XI, where he’ll play alongside Nieuwenof. The summer signing struggled to make much of an impact against Rangers last week but his physicality and ability to progress the ball forward will be crucial to Hearts’ chances of success against Kettlewell’s side.

Oda has impressed in his brief cameo appearances off the bench in recent weeks and I think we could see the winger back in the starting line-up for the first time since the 2-0 win over Aberdeen in mid-September. The attacker’s pace and direct style are a useful tool when trying to unlock a deep defence, and I think he is well-suited to Saturday’s match. I expect we’ll see Forrest on the opposite flank – the former Livingston and Ayr United man has been Hearts’ most consistent winger this season and, like Oda, his speed gives Hearts the option to hit Motherwell on the counter.

I think Lowry will get the nod at No.10, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see Boyce given the nod, either. The Northern Irishman’s physicality makes him well-suited to this contest, but I think the creativity that Lowry brings to the team will ensure the Rangers loanee’s return to the starting XI. With the team struggling to fashion clear-cut chances at the moment, the 20-year-old is one of the few willing to take risks on the ball and add a little imagination. It doesn’t always come off, but he at least provides a cutting edge.

Predicted line-up: Clark; Sibbick, Kent, Rowles, Kingsley; Devlin, Nieuwenhof; Oda, Lowry, Forrest; Shankland.

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