Stephen Kingsley insists Hearts are hurting from their recent run of results - but has vowed that they will not use their extensive injury list as an excuse.
Robbie Neilson ’s side have only won three of their last 14 games, although that sequence of fixtures includes European matches against teams such as Istanbul Basaksehir and Fiorentina.
The latest domestic set-back was a 2-0 reverse at Aberdeen on Sunday, a result that leaves Hearts seventh in the Premiership.
It does not get any easier with reigning champions Celtic the visitors for Saturday’s lunch-time clash. A congested fixture schedule and injury issues to key personnel such as Craig Halkett, Liam Boyce, Kye Rowles, Michael Smith, Josh Ginnelly and even - at times - Kingsley himself have also been factors.