Gary Mackay: The reason for Hearts' extra edge as season's climax nears

Above and beyond that, the start made in each of these games is really encouraging in my opinion. They’ve come out attacking and pushing the opposition back. With a passionate support behind you, everything can take off when you start matches in that manner.

Everybody gets a lift and it’s been really great to watch as a fan. The Aberdeen game in particular was pleasing because of the way the players went about their business. It was as close to complete dominance of an Aberdeen teams as I’ve seen from Hearts for many years.

Starting aggressively suits Hearts traditionally. Think back to Jim Jefferies’ teams and George Burley’s team. George in particular developed a knack of having some games won by half-time and the punters were loving it.

They started off brightly against St Mirren and Aberdeen and that became the foundation for victory. They also began just as sharply at Tannadice on Saturday and looked like winning again, especially after scoring so early, but a lot of different bits of adversity made it a different challenge.

There were all the injuries, the substitutions, players out of position, and then we ended up 2-1 behind. However, it showed that confidence and belief is there when Craig Halkett headed in that equaliser. Some of that faith probably came from the previous two games.

The supporters kept with the team, again perhaps in some way because of the previous two matches, so that lifts you in a way. Then you get the equaliser to take you into a big Scottish Cup game this weekend against St Mirren.

Robbie Neilson has been making positive noises about what the expectations should be for this Hearts team. I think they align with most supporters and definitely with myself. Hearts should be looking to