Many fans will remember the days when trips to Edinburgh would inevitable result in a miserable defeat but things have certainly changed. We probably pick up at least our fair share of points away to Hibs and Hearts now but this will not be a simple task by any means. For one thing the Jambos are improving slightly despite their latest off-field chaos and for another, our midfield will require big changes.
Hateley on a run at Tynecastle
Lasley will be without his midfield buddy Jennings following the failed appeal to the disciplinary tribunal. This could mean a start for Hughes although manager McCall has the option of recalling Clancy to right back and moving Hateley into midfield.
As for Hearts, presumably Driver won't play and it is also doubtful if Jonsson will be deemed trustworthy by the powers that be after he agreed to move to Wolves in January. Ryan Stevenson is reported to have stated that he wants paid for playing, not an unreasonable position, and he may be missing on Saturday. They are also coping with a substantial injury list but still have players capable of hurting us – Elliott, Skacel and Templeton spring to mind figuratively, Ian Black literally.
Hearts may be several points behind us but they remain one of our biggest competitors in the race for Europe. While a win for us here would almost kill them off completely, a share of the spoils to maintain our position would be more than acceptable in the circumstances meaning Motherwell could return home happy with a 1-1 draw.
Remember our last trip to Tynecastle?