'Freedom and bravery' evident at rampant Hearts

One only has to look at the Scottish Premiership table to get a sense of the optimism surrounding Hearts - nine points clear of Celtic, the best attacking record in the division by far and the second-best defensive record.

After a 2-2 draw at St Mirren in midweek, Derek McInnes' side returned to winning ways in fine style with a 4-0 victory over Dundee on Saturday.

Michael Steinwender, Blair Spittal and Pierre Landry Kabore all came into the starting XI as McInnes freshened things up and the tweaks paid off.

"They have got a brilliant thing going," former Hearts winger Neil McCann said on Sportscene.

"A lot of people were looking as if the bubble had burst at St Mirren, but a draw isn't such a bad result.

"There's a freedom about the squad and a bravery about the manager."