 While some in the domestic football world can relax a bit during the breaks for international fixtures, managers are not among that number. They like when payers are called up in recognition of their form but worry that players will be injured when out of their care. Hearts manager Robbie Neilson, therefore, was relieved to see his international representatives return to Tynecastle unscathed. Defender Callum Paterson played in both of Scotland's World Cup qualifiers during the international break while goalkeeper Jack Hamilton was also part of Gordon Strachan's squad. Cameroon's Arnaud Djoum, Moroccan left-back Faycal Rherras and American midfielder Perry Kitchen were also abroad on national team duty last week. But all five have reported back to Gorgie fit and will be part of Neilson's squad for today's visit of Dundee.Hearts secured a fine 3-1 win away to Motherwell before the international break but that result came after two disappointing displays in which they lost to St Johnstone and were held by Ross County. Hearts had chances to take something from both games but some sloppy finishing let them down. Now winger Jamie Walker has urged his side to carry on where they left off at Fir Park or face more frustration. He said: "It will be a tough game against Dundee. I think they will come and try to sit in. We will have a lot of the ball but we need to do better than our last game at home against County, when we never took our chances. We did do that at Fir Park, however, and got a great result, so that shows us that when the opportunities arise we have to take them." For the visitors, loanee Michael Duffy returns after missing the game against parent club Celtic while Tom Hateley is back after a groin injury. James Vincent is pushing for a return from knee trouble while defender James McPake remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. Paul Hartley's Dundee side are looking for their first win since the opening day of the season. Right-back Cammy Kerr believes he and his team-mates are finding their feet after a difficult transition period. Dundee had earlier been knocked out of the Betfred Cup group stages as they adjusted to the loss of top goalscorer Kane Hemmings and key attacking midfielder Greg Stewart. Kerr has been establishing himself in the first team during that process, making the right-back slot his own following the departure of Paul McGinn to Chesterfield. He had made an impact in midfield towards the end of last season following two loan spells at Peterhead and he feels he is adapting to his new role. Kerr said: "I'm still young and I'm still learning, so it's going to take time to find my feet. But I think the last few weeks, as a team collectively and myself, I have found my feet a lot more and I'm really enjoying it. The step from the 20s to the first team is big, as I expected, but you have got to be able to handle it. The boys will be thinking that we need a victory and we have not had one in a while but we have come off the back of a few tough fixtures, Aberdeen and Celtic. Obviously we have Hearts this week and St Johnstone next week but you have got to believe we are in the running to try and get top six, and we have got to be competing with these teams." |
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