Duncan McKay puts a shift in at Hearts' newly-opened Tynecastle Park Hotel - and keeps it quiet that he's a Hibs fan.
This segment is taken from the Friday, 15 March episode of A View From the Terrace. Watch on BBC Scotland at 22:30 GMT or on iPlayer.
With 55 points in the bag, Hearts have their healthiest total at this stage since 2015-16 when they finished well clear in third place.
Thirteen points in front of their nearest challengers, they are on course to comfortably repeat the trick and have reached the last four in the Scottish Cup.
Steven Naismith's first full season in charge got off to a stuttering start, with strange job titles, a tame European exit and the Edinburgh club seventh after 10 Premiership games.
On his last league outing, the 37-year-old former Scotland forward completed a double over champions Celtic, while a shellacking at Ibrox has been Hearts' only defeat in 16 games in all competitions.
Naismith takes his in-form side to Dingwall on Saturday looking to extend a 14-match unbeaten sequence against Ross County, their longest run without defeat against any opponent in the top flight this century.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSCammy Devlin says he is full of appreciation for the "special" bond between him and the Tynecastle faithful since he arrived in Gorgie in 2021.
Joining from Newcastle Jets in his homeland of Australia, Hearts fans seemed to immediately take to the midfielder's all-action, tough-tackling style of play.
The 25-year-old praised the support for making him feel welcome after travelling across the world to undertake a new challenge and says he is still loving live in maroon almost three years on.
"I've felt quite fortunate," Devlin said. "From the start until now, on a personal level, the backing [from the fans] has been really special.
"Whether it's at the games when I might be putting in a tackle or putting in that extra little bit of hard work, or just down on the street, they're always coming up and being really polite and saying hello to me.
"You don't really get that back home when you're playing in the A-League, so I find that really cool.
"I appreciate that because I was here on my own [when he arrived at Tynecastle]. It made me feel welcome and made me feel apart of what I'm trying to do here.
"I know the fans know that because I give everything I can when I'm out there. It just makes it all the more special. I really enjoy being here, everyone knows that."
Hibernian winger Martin Boyle, who is recovering from a concussion, has been omitted from Australia's latest squad but Hearts defenders Nathaniel Atkinson and Kye Rowles have been included for the two games against Lebanon. (Scotsman - subscription required), external
Image source, SNSRoss County have won just one of their 13 home games against Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish top-flight (D6 L6), a 2-1 win in September 2013; the Staggies are winless in 11 such matches since that sole victory under Derek Adams (D5 L6).
Heart of Midlothian haven’t lost any of their last 14 meetings with Ross County in the Scottish Premiership (W6 D8), their longest unbeaten run against any opponent in the top-flight this century.
Ross County have won just one of their last 14 Scottish Premiership matches played on a Saturday (D4 L9), though that win did come in their last such home game, beating Livingston 3-2 at Victoria Park.
Heart of Midlothian have won 55 points from their 29 league games this season (W17 D4 L8), their most at this stage of a Scottish Premiership campaign since 2015-16 (56 points) when they finished third under Robbie Neilson.
Since the beginning of last season, Heart of Midlothian’s Lawrence Shankland has scored 44 goals in the Scottish Premiership, more than any other player; the Hearts’ captain has scored 14 goals across his last 14 league appearances.
Image source, SNSSteven Naismith says it's great news for Hearts to have two of their goalkeepers in the upcoming Scotland squad.
Both Craig Gordon and Zander Clark were called up to Steve Clarke's side for the friendlies against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland.
"It’s good for the club that you can have two goalies in the squad," Naismith said.
"The quality of them and the dynamic of Craig’s history, where he has been and where he is in his career, that changes the dynamic and that probably changes the manager's mind to have the two of them.
“It’s brilliant for us as a club and it’s brilliant for Craig to be back involved. It also gives them all an understanding about being in the squad.
“I was joking with them that after Covid the manager [Steve Clarke] never phoned me and put me in the squad before the Euros when I was still playing. There is a bit of credit in the bank for Craig from the gaffer.”
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSHearts head coach Steven Naismith has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership trip to Dingwall on Saturday.
Here are the key points from his press conference:
Delighted at the news Hearts will have an even split of tickets for their Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers. Naismith is expecting a "good atmosphere" with "two of the biggest teams in the country".
Says it is great news for the club that Zander Clark and Craig Gordon are both in the Scotland squad, and believes both have an opportunity to go to the Euros.
Enjoyed the end of Ross County’s match against Hibernian on Wednesday, and thinks it could be a "big point" for County in their fight against relegation.
Naismith would not be drawn on County's Yan Dhanda, who has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Hearts in the summer.
Team news: Yutaro Oda and Scott Fraser could return this week with Barrie McKay pencilled in for after the international break.
Hearts travel to Dingwall to face Ross County in the Premiership on Saturday, as they look to strengthen their grip on third place.
Who would you pick to start if you were in Steven Naismith's shoes?
Choose your Hearts XI here.
Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland
With a Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers now secured for mid-April, Hearts' attention now switches to guaranteeing a third-place finish in the Premiership.
While performances haven't always been to everyone’s pleasure, you cannot argue with the hard facts - 32 points from their last 13 matches is impressive by anyone’s standards.
The only blemishes in those 13 games have been home draws against Ross County and Hibernian and a heavy defeat at Ibrox where lessons should have been learned.
It’s interesting as well that a number of youth academy graduates have been gaining valuable experience in and around the first team set-up recently.
The likes of Macauley Tait and Aiden Denholm have both shown on the pitch what they can bring to the squad.
With James Wilson, Finlay Pollock and 16-year-old Bobby McLuckie also featuring on the bench, the future certainly looks bright.
Next up for Hearts is what could be a tricky trip to Dingwall as they face a Ross County side battling for survival.
Since former Hearts midfielder Don Cowie took over County's performances have improved, but they are running out of games as they fight to avoid relegation.
We asked for your thoughts after Hearts beat Greenock Morton 1-0 at Cappielow to reach the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
Here's what you had to say:
Anon: Typical cup-tie win against lower league opponents. Hearts avoided a banana skin despite not playing well, which is what good teams do.
Iain: I heard Steven Naismith saying how good we were and I know some Hearts fans think the same. I think they’re wrong. It wasn’t good enough. We got lucky. Credit to Morton but we allowed the game to be played on their terms and we should be better than that. Grant and Atkinson are nowhere near the standard required.
Neil: It was a proper cup tie and an excellent atmosphere at Cappielow. Morton played well and Hearts had to battle through, but did so well, trying to play football in difficult conditions. A great night.
Darren: Not the best performance from Hearts but it was enough to get through to the next round. Credit to Morton who played well on the night and made it difficult to break through the defensive block. Also, credit to those who decided to travel through and were faced with major roadworks on the way through and back.
Ian: Can't believe that Dougie Imrie thought Morton deserved to go through Hearts missed a few opportunities to score in a tough match. Not impressed by the way Morton play the game.
Hearts will petition the Scottish FA for a 50-50 ticket split for next month's Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers. The Tynecastle hierarchy want seats at Hampden shared equally after being denied in November's League Cup semi-final against the same opposition. (Edinburgh Evening News), external
Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.
Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, SNSCraig Gordon has been recalled to the Scotland squad for this month's friendly matches against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland.
The goalkeeper, 41, has played three times - in the Scottish Cup - since a year out with a double leg break.
Gordon won the last of his 74 Scotland caps in November 2022 and his Hearts team-mate, Zander Clark, has remained first choice for Premiership games.
Clark and Lawrence Shankland are the other two Hearts players named in Steve Clarke's squad.
See the full squad here.
Image source, SNSHearts head coach Steven Naismith believes his side have what it takes to lift the Scottish Cup this season, despite their poor recent record against semi-final opponents Rangers.
Rangers beat the Edinburgh side 3-1 in this season's League Cup semi-final before going on to the lift the trophy - and recently thumped them 5-0 in the Premiership.
"Fortunately we have been in a semi-final before this season so we have got to use that and we will look forward to it," Naismith said after Hearts booked the final place in the semi-finals thanks to a late Kenneth Vargas goal away to Greenock Morton.
"We have had a good bit of progression since the last semi-final. We want to progress again and give ourselves a chance to win it.
"You have got to have that demand and hunger to win trophies and we are building that, so hopefully we can have a good day."
Greg Playfair
Fan writer
With a second trip to Hampden booked for next month and third place almost secured before Easter, this has got to be ranked as Hearts' most successful season in the last decade.
Monday night’s Scottish Cup quarter-final against Greenock Morton wasn’t a game for the footballing purists.
Without being disrespectful to Hearts’ hosts, their gameplan was simple - they defended with a low block and looked to counter and trouble us from set-pieces. I genuinely thought the ball was being shot out of a cannon every time that long throw of theirs came into our box.
To give credit to our players and management team, it was something we were well prepared for and soaked up everything they had to throw at us.
We must also thank Craig Gordon, who pulled off a few smart stops in the second half.
Gordon is obviously desperate to get himself in the Euros squad and on last night's form he’s definitely someone you hope will be in the squad given the lack of international experience between Zander Clark and Liam Kelly.
The most important thing about the tie was to make sure that we progressed, and Kenneth Vargas drilled home on 86 minutes to ensure Hearts did just that and set up a semi-final against Rangers.
Hearts have never defeated Rangers at Hampden and we were comfortably beaten in the Viaplay Cup semi-final earlier this season by the same opponents, but I’m sure we will go into that tie with more belief and in much better form.
Attention now turns to Saturday's league trip to Ross County. With this being the last fixture before the international break, it would be great to take all three points and build confidence before games against Kilmarnock and St Mirren.
I’m quietly confident of another 1-0 win on the road and would gladly take that as County are scrapping to avoid the relegation play-off.
Greg Playfair can be found on the Oorweechat Podcast, external.
Hearts will take on Rangers at Hampden in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup after the draw was made live on BBC Scotland following the Jambos late win against Morton.
Kenneth Vargas scored in the 85th-minute to send Steven Naismith's side through to the final four, and former Scotland goalkeeper Jim Leighton drew them out against Philippe Clement's league leaders.
The tie will take place on the weekend of 20 April.
The Edinburgh side have won the cup eight times but have not done so since 2012.
While Rangers, who have lifted the cup 34 times, last won it 2022 when they defeated Hearts in the final.
Morton 0-1 Hearts: Kenneth Vargas scores to seal Hampden semi-final spot
Well Hearts didn't make things easy for themselves but Steven Naismith's side do book their place in the Scottish Cup semi-final where they'll face Rangers.
Were you at Cappielow or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game and your thoughts on the draw – have your say here.
Hearts manager Steven Naismith told BBC Scotland: "It was really good, we were really professional. We knew it was going to be a battle from the start.
"We should've and could've scored earlier but we knew it was about patience. If we kept working them, our opportunities would come and that is how it played out.
"We had real control in the second half, and that was the foundation to the win. It's key not to get carried away with the atmosphere."
On Kenneth Vargas, Naismith added: "We've asked more of him than we should've this season.
"He's a young guy, his first time in a new league and he has been pushed to the limits. His natural instincts as a footballer are really good, he's a big asset to us."
Image source, SNSCharlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland
It was a valiant effort from the Championship side who had already seen off Premiership side Motherwell in the previous round.
They managed to keep Hearts at bay for most of the match and even created chances of their own and looked to threaten the visitors, with Craig Gordon called into action on numerous occasions.
Ultimately the lack of depth in Dougie Imrie’s squad took it’s toll and the quality of Hearts’ attackers shone through.
The Hearts side that turned up at Cappielow was a far cry from the side who put two past Celtic last weekend.
Steven Naismith’s side looked off the pace for the majority of the game and it wasn’t until the game started to wear on Morton that Hearts managed to get on the front foot.
All that’ll matter for the Edinburgh side is that they’ve booked their spot at Hampden for the semi-final but they certainly didn’t make it easy for themselves.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSDespite missing an earlier chance Kenneth Vargas was ultimately the difference for Hearts, bagging the only goal that helped send them through to the semi-finals
Greenock Morton: Mullen, French, Baird, Broadfoot, O'Connor, Strapp, Power, Gillespie, Blues, Crawford, Muirhead.
Substitutes: Murdoch, Waters, McGrattan, Garrity, Bearne.
Heart of Midlothian: Gordon, Lembikisa, Sibbick, Rowles, Kingsley, Baningime, Devlin, Grant, Vargas, Shankland, Forrest.
Substitutes: Clark, Atkinson, Cochrane, Denholm, Tait, Tagawa, Sandilands, McLuckie, Wilson.
