'Hearts looking to continue rare run of consistency'

Brian McLauchlin, BBC Sport Scotland

I like a stat as much as anyone, but when Steven Naismith told me after the well-earned win over St Johnstone that it was the first time in almost two years that the club had won three top-flight matches back-to-back, I have to say it was a surprise.

This alone is an indication of the troubles on the pitch in the last couple of seasons.

It’s now five years since Hearts won four Premiership matches in row, when they lost only one of their first eleven Premiership matches in 2018/19.

Another run like that, and Hearts fans can look forward to their Christmas and New Year festivities, but this weekend a trip to Rugby Park to face a strong Kilmarnock team awaits.

Earlier in the season, it took a last minute wonder strike by Alex Lowry to give Hearts victory in their League Cup tie, but Derek McIness side's seem to have found greater steeliness since that sucker punch, particularly at home.

Although they have failed to score in their last two matches, both on the road, they tend not to lose many goals. Indeed, they have lost only five in the league at Rugby Park this season.

The players at Hearts now look as if they believe in the way the manager is trying to play and if they continue on the upward curve, then a winning run of games may catapult them even further up the table in what is proving to be an exciting league.