This will be my 1st away game since the 7-0 thrashing or Ayr and very much enjoyed the pre match gathering in the ship inn. Is there a similar place in edinburgh where people go prior to the match?

Diggers I presume, or the Ardmillan Hotel.

The Ardmillan is decent but fills up rather quickly

The Ardmillan is decent but fills up rather quickly

Ditto the Diggers but if you squeeze in we usually get the room at the back.

Hearts have now won 5 in a row scoring 13 and conceding 0. Retaing the record at Tynecastle is going to be some achievement because that Hearts record is better than the equivalents for Celtic and Rangers. It is fantastic being in this position though. Let's hope we can hold it and then go on a wee run after Christmas. The players minds will certainly be focussed on this enormous game for the club.

A European 6 pointer! Lol.

Diggers (Athletic Arms) is great. Can be busy but the beer is very good.

Then on Saturday, Jefferies side face the tricky task of ending Inverness Caley Thistle?s year long undefeated streak away from home. A reason why Hearts could very well put an end to that run is, that unlike both Rangers and Celtic, who have dropped points to the Highlanders at home this season, the Tynecastle outfit will respect the threat that Terry Butcher?s side hold and that is ultimately what could seal all three points.

So if they do win both fixtures this week, that will mean they are at the worst three points behind Celtic and six behind Rangers, which will no doubt help amp up the pressure on the big two as they go into the New Year and will give the Edinburgh side the type of confidence needed to challenge, what Mr Romanov describes as ?The Forces of Darkness.?