Hearts can have one of the best centre-back partnerships in the country with John Souttar and Craig Halkett - the vice captain proved he is perfect for Daniel Stendel's style

Half way through the first half at the Global Energy Stadium and Ross County were on the attack again. Andy Irving had been dispossessed as Hearts tried to play out from the back and within two passes Josh Mullin was haring through the middle, between Ben Garuccio and John Souttar.

It looked like the home side were finally going to open the scoring after a couple of promising opportunities had been passed up previously. But just as Mullin was set to pull the trigger, Souttar made an excellent recovery to slide in and push the ball from the toes of the winger. Danger averted.

It was a common occurrence throughout the match. Hearts losing the ball, County springing forward to take advantage of gaps and Souttar making a crucial interception or intervention. It wasn't just the club's vice captain, his centre-back partner Craig Halkett and right-back Clevid Dikamona also had to step in to block, intercept or tackle at key moments.

It was, however, the 23-year-old former Dundee United defender who was Hearts' star performer on the night.

Primarily, Souttar and Halkett were having to put out a number of fires, especially in the first half, as they were left exposed due to team-mates' positioning or inability to keep the ball. Time and again, County were able to waltz through the centre of the pitch or down the wings after winning possession. The centre-back duo stood strong.

Stat attack

On the night no player recovered the ball more times than Halkett (26) and Souttar (22), while the latter won the most aerial duels for the visitors, as well as making the most clearances and interceptions.

It is the latter which stands out. Throughput his career he has averaged 5.94 interceptions per match. Against County it was 12, the highest he has achieved in 16 months. What it shows is how much he is suited to Daniel Stendel's game plan and style, and how Hearts fans should be hugely encouraged by a partnership which is likely to develop with Halkett - if both players stay fit.

If it wasn't for injury, there is every chance Christophe Berra would have been sidelined long before the new manager decided to lessen his role significantly.

Souttar and Halkett had started just one match as a pair in a back four prior to the Scottish Cup game against Airdrieonians on Saturday. The duo eased through that encounter but Ross County offered up a far tougher assessment of their qualities.

The Staggies' defence hasn't been great but they have been dangerous in attack. Hearts did their best to put their centre-backs in situations where the would be truly tested, and they passed with flying colours.

Risk

Stendel has the perfect duo for carrying out his requirements of a high line. Both are fine at dealing with long balls over their head, forcing them to defend when facing their own goal. The are more than able at defending one-v-one situations, and dealing with being exposed due to players ahead of them taking risks.

As their deputy Clevid Dikamona revealed, it is something they will have to get used to: "Before, we had a style of play where there was no risk taking, and the objective was just to get one goal more than the opposition. While nowadays the message we have is to take more risks in order to score goals.

"Even if this might give the opposition more chances to score, generally by taking risks we are the ones who create more chances."

Souttar's return from injury and Halkett's return to form has brought Stendel a key piece of his jigsaw as he pieces together a spine to the Hearts team.

There will be games where they will be put in difficult situations and sometimes overworked, but as Hearts take risks to try and free themselves from the relegation battle they have a defensive duo more than capable of putting out fires efficiently and effectively. A partnership that has the potential to be one of the best in the country.