Heart of Midlothian

Image source, SNS

Only once since the 1990/91 season has a player plying their trade for a team other than Celtic or Rangers won the PFA Scotland player of the year award.

Lawrence Shankland will be hoping to join Michael Higdon on the small list of non-Old Firm players to claim the prize in recent times as he looks to match the striker's exploits for Motherwell in 2012/13.

And given the Hearts striker is the Premiership's top scorer, he may well have a decent chance.

His 21 league goals are only part of the story though - this has been a huge season for Shankland as a leader at Tynecastle.

With Craig Gordon absent for much of the campaign, the 28-year-old has taken on the captain's armband with assurance, spearheading Hearts' likely charge back to third place and group stage European football.

His technical ability and link-up play are still underrated outwith Gorgie, though the Hearts fans who watch him week in, week out know just how good a footballer Shankland is.

Even when noise of a potential departure wouldn't go away in January, the frontman did what he does best - score goals. What other people said didn't seem to affect him.

And while the summer window is likely to prompt similar murmurs, for now, the Hearts support have a player they can idolise, adore, and legitimately call one of the best talents in the division.

Image source, BBC

It was a busy afternoon for Cammy Devlin in the midfield at Rugby Park on Saturday.

The Australian's trademark, boundless energy was on full display as he ran the show in Ayrshire.

He could well have made it two goals in two league games had it not been for the crossbar, too.

Watch all the action from Rugby Park as Kilmarnock and Hearts played out a goalless draw. (Available to UK users only).

We asked for your thoughts on Hearts' goalless draw away to Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Here's what some of you said:

Mike: Probably one of the best performances of the season. The only thing missing was the goals. I felt that Hearts controlled the majority of the game and defended well against a dangerous Kilmarnock team, who were not at their best. Cammy Devlin man of the match, with honourable mentions for the three central defenders and Beni Baningime.

Chris: Was nervous after the semi-final but I needn’t have been, we controlled the game and were unlucky not to leave with three points. Lawrence Shankland again struggled, hoping his form has an upturn so we can watch him at the Euros!

Keith: Decent performance and another clean sheet but we need to start taking the chances our good play is creating.

Image source, SNS

Hearts boss Steven Naismith reckons his side can only benefit from Zander Clark and Craig Gordon vying for the number one jersey as they look to secure their place in Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad.

Naismith has rotated the pair in recent weeks and Clark got the nod at Rugby Park on Saturday, producing a big save in the dying embers of the goalless draw with Kilmarnock.

"That's the joy of having two really good goalies," Naismith said.

"I've got the confidence that even though Zander has missed the last two, that he comes in and will be as solid as he's been all season.

"The two of them are doing all they can to make the Euros squad - it's as simple as that.

"I think they have done all they can in the games they've played this season. We'll see how the coming weeks go, but it might be an opportunity to give them both game time."

Image source, SNS

• Kilmarnock are undefeated in their last six games in the Scottish Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 6 December 2023 to 30 December 2023.

• Kilmarnock have kept a clean sheet in their last three games in the Scottish Premiership - a run of 387 minutes.

• Their last longer run of games without conceding in the competition was four matches from 10 November 2018 to 5 December 2018.

• Hearts are undefeated in their last four games in the Scottish Premiership.

• Their last longer unbeaten streak was from 16 December 2023 to 17 February 2024, a run of 10 games.

• Hearts have kept a clean sheet in 15 of their 34 games, only Rangers (18) have done this more often in the Scottish Premiership this season. Kilmarnock's haul of 13 is bettered only by Hearts and Rangers.

Hearts fans, were you at Rugby Park or following the match from home?

Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

Steven Naismith tells BBC Scotland: "I thought we were really good. The only thing we were missing was some goals. We created good chances. Our energy, build-up play and control of the game was good.

"We had to defend at times, we defended really well, our control of the game was really good and we could've been two or three up at half-time if not for the woodwork and good defending.

"On the whole, what it does show you about our group is that we are driven. On the back of the disappointment of the semi-final, to perform like we did shows we are determined and want to be successful.

"We want to get as many points as we can. That is our challenge until the summer.

"(Beni Baningime) was feeling unwell. I’m not concerned by it. He was alright by half-time. I don’t expect him to be missing next week."

Image source, SNS

When both sets of supporters applaud their side off after a goalless draw, they've either witnessed a cracking game of football despite the dearth of goals or, as is the case here, they've seen enough progress throughout the term that they're happy to tick the 'good season' box.

That certainly applies to both these sides, who've confirmed their status as third and fourth best in the league as things stand right now, and it may well be the case come the end of the season.

Hearts certainly won't be caught for third, and will feel hard done to that they didn't claim all three points after a first half showing in which they twice hit the Kilmarnock bar.

After the break, Kilmarnock were better, ditching the first half 4-4-2 by sacrificing defender Robbie Deas and bringing on Brad Lyons to beef up the midfield.

But for a fine late save from Zander Clark to deny Marley Watkins, Killie could have been leaving with all three points.

They'll have to settle for one and can look forward to big games against Celtic and Rangers as they look to get their passports out for some European football next season.

Cammy Devlin put in a solid shift in midfield and was unlucky not to open the scoring with a near-perfect curling effort that bounced back out off the bar.

Image source, SNS

Hearts boss Steven Naismith opts to make three changes following last weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers at Hampden Park.

There's rotation in goal as Zander Clark comes back into the starting XI to replace veteran 'keeper Craig Gordon.

A back three is employed, with wing-backs Dexter Lembikisa and Alex Cochrane replacing Alan Forrest and Nathaniel Atkinson.

Forrest drops to the bench, whilst Nathaniel Atkinson misses out entirely.

Follow our live coverage here.

Image source, SNS

Image source, BBC Sport

Kilmarnock: Dennis, Mayo, Wright, Findlay, Deas, Armstrong, Donnelly, Polworth, Kennedy, Watkins, Vassell.

Substitutes: O'Hara, Ndaba, McKenzie, Lyons, Watson, Murray, Cameron, Mackay-Steven, Van Veen.

Heart of Midlothian: Clark, Kingsley, Kent, Rowles, Lembikisa, Baningime, Devlin, Grant, Cochrane, Vargas, Shankland.

Substitutes: Gordon, Oda, Forrest, McKay, Sibbick, Denholm, Tait, Fraser, Tagawa.

Image source, BBC Sport

Hearts boss Steven Naismith will consider rotating goalkeepers Zander Clark and Craig Gordon to give both the chance of making the Scotland squad for Euro 2024. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

Kilmarnock expect to be without Tom Davies, Kyle Magennis and Greg Stewart.

Hearts continue to be without Liam Boyce, Craig Halkett, Peter Haring and Calem Nieuwenhof.

Image source, SNS

Hearts head coach Steven Naismith wants his side to continue their high standards and break the 70-point mark before the season's end.

The Tynecastle side have 62 points with five league games remaining, and could secure a third-placed finish with a win away to Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Even if that objective is secured this weekend, Naismith insists it isn't in their nature to ease up.

“I wouldn’t say it makes a big difference because I think the drive within us is always going to be to get better,” he said.

“Getting third confirmed isn’t automatically going to make us change everything we’re doing. It might give us a bit scope to see where boys’ injuries are.

“But what it does is bring a really nice enjoyment to the last month of the season.

“I’ve been in football a long time and you don’t often get that period of time where it’s a really relaxed environment. I think that’s probably the biggest thing that would change, but there’s still a drive here.

“I think there’s a good opportunity to get more than 70 points and I think that’s realistic to push on and try and do that.”

Image source, SNS

Hearts head coach Steven Naismith has been talking to the media before his side's trip to Rugby Park on Saturday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Challenged his side to hit the 70-point mark for the first time since the 2005-06 season, a target which Naismith sees as "realistic".

• Hearts could secure a third-placed Premiership finish with a win, but Naismith insists that wouldn't see them ease off in the final four games.

• Is anticipating a "really tough" game, but says Hearts can "take confidence" from their two wins away to Kilmarnock already this season.

• Naismith also spoke about preparing his squad for the rigours of European football next season, and says he wants to "rely" on youth players more. "We’ve shown this season we’ve got young players who can contribute."

We asked you which of Hearts' out-of-contract players you'd be keen to keep at Tynecastle.

Here's a taste of what you had to say:

Keir: Beni Baningime is vital to Hearts' midfield. Although he gets a lot of stick for playing it backwards a lot, he makes up for it in his interceptions and composure on the ball which allows Hearts to control games and assert ourselves from kick off. Many won't realise how good he is till he’s gone.

Ian: I don't know about Beni. If only he would push forward more from midfield like when he set up the goal against Morton I would gladly keep him, but how often does that happen? The right-back/wing-back position needs addressed. Someone who can defend as well as push forward. Up front is there any chance of getting Josh Ginnelly back ? Probably not.

Brian: They can all go except Baningime, he's the only one worth keeping.

Steve: Beni wanted to resurrect his career at Hearts but wanted to leave after three seasons, hopefully getting us a transfer fee. Due to injury he’s not put himself in the shop window, so he won’t re-sign but will move on. He would be worth keeping but we need new blood, someone to protect the back four. Would love to see Toby Sibbick, Nat Atkinson, Liam Boyce, Peter Haring and Cammy Devlin all go!

Adam: I would get rid of quite a few if possible. Atkinson for one.

Anon: Good season, not too fussed on keeping players except Lawrence Shankland.

Mike: 100% Beni should stay. Would love to see him back at his best for at least one more season. When he arrived he was different class.

Rab: The players that Hearts should move on for a variety of reasons are Siɓbick, Michael McGovern, Haring, Jorge Grant, Barrie McKay, Kyosuke Tagawa, Kye Rowles and both loan players Scott Fraser and Dexter Lembikisa.

Muray: Just keep Murray Thomas, let the others go. We've already got Blair Spittal and Yan Dhanda to improve the midfield.

Matty: Beni is still not the player he was before his lengthy injury. He rarely commits in a tackle. He can show fantastic talent at shielding and then positively releasing the ball in a very hectic midfield. However, he can be very slow and can get pickpocketed easily. Would keep though to see if he can get back to his best.

Fraser: Hearts need to strengthen the midfield and defence. Keeping Baningime would be a big help although an extra attacking midfielder would be massive. Haring can go he’s been a good servant to the team but his time is up.

Hearts must put the disappointment of their defeat by Rangers at Hampden behind them if they are to end in-form Kilmarnock's lingering hopes of denying them a third-place finish that has for so long seemed inevitable.

Kilmarnock won the corresponding fixture 2-1 a year ago, but since then, they have failed to win any of their four meetings, drawing both visits to Tynecastle.

Steven Naismith's side have come out top twice already at Rugby Park - once in the League Cup and once in the Premiership.

Another win in Ayrshire would secure third spot and also match their best points total since 2016.

Kilmarnock, though, are unbeaten in four games, are seeking to win three consecutive Premiership matches for the first time since October 2020 and have only lost once - to Rangers - in their latest 11 home games.

They could also qualify for European competition for the first time in four years depending on their own result and St Mirren's on Sunday.

Who comes out on top could have much to do with who wins the head-to-head battle between Lawrence Shankland and a Killie defence seeking a third successive blank.

The Scotland striker has found the net 21 times and assisted in four others in the Premiership this season, which means he has been involved in 54.3% of Hearts' league goals.

The 28-year-old is the only player to be directly involved in at least half of his side's goals in the division during this campaign.

Read all the weekend's Premiership picks

With several players out of contract in the summer, clubs up and down the country are considering who they want to be involved next season.

Hearts have just four players out of contract - Beni Baningime, Michael McGovern, Peter Haring and Murray Thomas.

How important is keeping Baningime, and who would you be happy to wave goodbye to? Let us know here.

Image source, SNS

• Kilmarnock have won just one of their last six league meetings with Hearts (D3 L2), a 2-1 victory in April 2023.

• Hearts have won three of their last six Scottish Premiership away trips to Kilmarnock (D1 L2), more than their previous 12 top-flight visits beforehand (W2 D5 L5).

• Kilmarnock have won both of their last two league games, last winning three in a row within a single season in the Scottish Premiership in October 2020.

• Hearts have won 62 points in the Scottish Premiership this season, their most in a campaign in the division since 2015-16 (65).

• Lawrence Shankland has scored (21) or assisted (four) 54.3% of Hearts’ Scottish Premiership goals this season (25/46), the only player to be directly involved in at least half of his side’s goals.