Hearts still have plenty to work on despite impressive start

With transfer deadline day now a distant memory Derek McInnes has assembled a squad that should be the envy of most managers in the Scottish Premiership.

From a Brazilian midfielder to a German goalkeeper, from an exciting Portugese striker to a pacy Greek winger, the Tynecastle dressing room is once again a cosmopolitan environment with a broad range of accents and languages.

And if the past few matches are anything to go by, the Tynecastle faithful are in for a real treat this season.

There is, however, still plenty to work on. In the four Premiership matches played so far Hearts have taken 10 points and are the top scorers with 10 goals and five different players finding the net.

But in conceding six and with just one clean sheet - against Aberdeen on the opening day - only Livingston have lost more goals (eight). Dundee, who many now feel are favourites for relegation, have lost only five in their four games.

The goalkeeping situation will be interesting in the next few weeks. Zander Clark has held the position since Craig Gordon suffered a neck problem in May.

The 42-year-old has recently returned to full training and with experienced German keeper Alexander Schwolow now in the door, competition for the jersey is fierce.

Hearts will need to be solid at the back this weekend when they travel along the M8 to take on a Rangers side who are striving to find their feet after a major turnover of players and management.

Many would say this is the perfect time for Hearts to end a dismal run against the Ibrox club, who are unbeaten in the past 18 meetings.

It was in the Scottish Cup in February 2020 when Oli Bozanic scored the only goal of the game to defeat Rangers at Tynecastle.

Only Craig Halkett from the squad that day remains at Hearts while James Tavernier is the sole Rangers survivor.