Who would have thought that Hearts’ league campaign would all hinge on an early-April trip to Fir Park? Alas, that’s what it’s come down to.
It’s just a shame about the size of the prize that’s on offer.
For Neil Critchley’s men, the task couldn’t be more straightforward. Take care of business against Motherwell, and their place in the top six is guaranteed.
Even a draw would do the trick should St Mirren fail to pick up three points at home to Ross County.
And considering they were still propping up the Premiership table in mid-December, perhaps the fact that Hearts have things in their own hands should be taken as a small victory already.
But it certainly doesn’t feel like that. You see, even if — and that’s a big if — it’s a case of mission accomplished come teatime tonight, sixth spot is likely the best they are going to get.
Hearts manager Neil Critchley insists that European football remains within reach for the club
His side suffered a major setback last weekend courtesy of a 1-0 home defeat to Dundee Utd
Motherwell host Hearts this afternoon knowing a win would see them leapfrog their opponents
The manager may talk about harbouring European ambitions, and in theory, there remains a possibility that they could sneak in. But based on the evidence that’s been offered up this season, there’s next to no chance of that happening.
This current crop have shown — despite making some notable improvements under Critchley — that by and large, they are incapable of delivering in the big moments, against the big teams.
In six fixtures against the Old Firm, the Tynecastle side have taken just a single point — and that came on the opening day. Better times.
Two points have been gleaned from three tussles against Aberdeen — who they face in the Scottish Cup semi-final next weekend — while Dundee United have won on both of their visits to Tynecastle.
Three Edinburgh derbies have come and gone without a win either. No matter the circumstances, that’s unacceptable.
Profligacy in front of goal has continued to be a headache the former Blackpool boss has been unable to remedy, and it’s cost them on more than a few occasions.
The signing of striker Elton Kabangu on loan in January has been a decent acquisition, as has midfielder Sander Kartum, but their arrivals haven’t coincided with any tangible shift in momentum. It’s been stop-start stuff all year. Now would be as good a time as any to find some form.
Kuhn must rediscover old sparkle
Brendan Rodgers very rarely lets his players have it. To be fair, there’s not been much need for such measures over the vast majority of his two spells in the Celtic dugout.
Which is why last weekend’s scathing post-match putdown of his men following a lacklustre 1-0 defeat at St Johnstone was all the more engrossing.
Nicholas Kuhn has gone off the boil in recent weeks and could be due a spell out of the team
He’s clearly not a happy camper at the moment, and who could blame him? As he alluded to, their display in the Perth sunshine was not a one-off.
Since the turn of the year, Dundee, Hibernian, Rangers — twice — and the Saints have all sensed weakness in the soon-to-be-champions and capitalised on it.
They’ll still win the title, of course. But make no mistake, this is a laboured trudge to the finish line, and no player represents that particular illustration better than Nicolas Kuhn.
God only knows what’s happened to the German over the past few months. He looks a shadow of the player who almost single-handedly tore RB Leipzig to shreds in the Champions League group stage.
His second-leg strike against Bayern Munich in the play-offs back in February simply served to raise his profile, not to mention his price tag. By that stage, clubs down south and on the continent were apparently starting to take notice. Not now.
These days, he looks uninterested. Which probably explains why he has failed to emerge for the second half in two of his last three starts. That’s worrying.
Rodgers has promised that he won’t allow players to go through the motions as the season nears its conclusion, and if he’s true to his word, Kuhn will more than likely find himself starting today’s game against Kilmarnock on the bench. He can have few complaints if that’s the case.
