The Hearts player stat that fuelled third place consistency compared to contrasting Dundee United approach

Not only did Hearts finish comfortably in third place last season, but they did it using the fewest number of players in the Premiership.

Robbie Neilson’s side finished 13 points clear of nearest challengers Dundee United, securing qualification for the Europa Conference League. A run to the Scottish Cup final ensured group stage football until Christmas, but they dropped out of the Europa League at the playoff round.

They are on course to finish as best of the rest once again this term, currently seven points ahead of Livingston, although Davie Martindale’s men have a game in hand. This campaign has brought more injury problems for the Jambos, so they will have used more players than last season out of necessity. Neilson has always looked for quality over quantity when it comes to transfer dealings, and it paid off for him in 2021/22 as the Tynecastle boss kept things tight.

According to the UEFA European Football Club Landscape Report, the Jambos were the most consistent Scottish Premiership squad club when it came to team selection. They used just over 25 players over the course of the season, a good bit below the league average of 32.3.

Interestingly, Tam Courts’ Dundee United used the most as they finished just a place below Hearts. The Tannadice team fielded 40 players over the campaign. They also got the passports out, but a 7-1 humiliation at the hands of AZ Alkmaar ensured it was a short-lived adventure under Jack Ross.

Overall, the Scottish top flight was in the top five European leagues for number of players used. With an average of 32.3 per cent - up eight per cent on the previous season and level with the Portuguese Primeira Liga and behind only Switzerland, Turkey and Poland.

Norwegian used the fewest