'This weekend a good time to be facing Celtic?'

With the international breaks now over for this year the full focus now is on club football at both domestic and European levels.

And between now and when the bells ring out the end of 2024 Hearts will be involved in matches that will have a major impact on how this season will eventually looked upon.

First of all Celtic will be the visitors to Tynecastle on Saturday night (I know that sounds strange) and if there is a good time to take on the champions it does appear this may well be it.

After the first international break this season Hearts travelled to Celtic Park and it was only a late Luke McCowan goal that sealed all three points for the home side.

Then in October Celtic were again at home and Aberdeen forced their way back to snatch a point after trailing 2-0 at half-time.

However, whenever you play Celtic you know things have to go your way. They have a squad full of players who know how to win, even when not at their best.

After Celtic it's a trip to face Cercle Brugge with the focus potential progression in the Conference League.

Given the performances so far, and despite the home defeat to Heidenheim, there should be plenty of optimism heading to Belgium.

But first things first and full focus should now be on how to stop Celtic. Sitting just one point above bottom club Hibs having played a game more is simply not good enough for Hearts and needs to be rectified sooner rather than later.