Hearts post-match: Pace and energy help upturn - but more critical fixtures await

More pace, more energy, more power. Hearts already look a different proposition post-winter break under Daniel Stendel, although the hard toil is only just beginning. Beating part-time Airdrieonians 5-0 in the Scottish Cup at the weekend was the prelude to a far more critical league fixture at Ross County on Wednesday.

Ultimately, Premiership survival is the priority. It would be catastrophic for Hearts if they suffered relegation. Sitting five points adrift at the bottom of the table, sheer endeavour is needed to dig them out of trouble.

Encouragingly, there was plenty of that on show at the weekend as glimpses of Stendel's coaching work starts to bear fruit on the field. The German feels there is more to come but a 5-0 cup victory raises confidence, even if it was against a third-tier side.

Key protagonists were the young players who provided said legs, like Lewis Moore, 21, and 19-year-old Euan Henderson. Not forgetting the midfield intelligence of another teenager, Andy Irving. His first-half goal brought a narrow 1-0 advantage and Hearts sprung forward by several gears to overwhelm their tiring opponents after the interval.

Sean Clare's stunning volley doubled the advantage before Steven Naismith marked his first game as club captain with a goal from Henderson's cutback. Henderson converted the fourth - his first senior Hearts goal - when Naismith supplied him. Craig Halkett rounded the afternoon off with the fifth.

Moore spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Falkirk, while Henderson and Irving were on the fringes of the first team. All three have risen to prominence due to Stendel's desire to inject more youthful dynamism into his team.

"I thought they were all brilliant on Saturday but it's just a small step," said John Souttar, the centre-back who returned from five months out with an ankle injury. "The manager showed good faith playing them. There were a few big players on the bench and he put the younger ones in ahead of them.

"That's got to give them encouragement but they can't just play well for one game. They've got to step up again on Wednesday because the manager has put faith in them and the club needs them now. They are good players and it's just important they continue doing what they're doing."

Souttar, the Hearts vice-captain, is very aware of what is required over the coming weeks and months. Saturday was a platform but far more stringent tests await.

"A few of us have been injured and seeing what happened in the first half of the season was difficult," he conceded. "A few of us are back now and all we can do is concentrate on what we do now. We have four or five months to get out of the situation we're in. Saturday was a start but it's just a start.

"We couldn't have asked for a much better start. It could have been a tough day but we've continued the Aberdeen game from before the break and brought it on. We're in the next round of the cup but this has to be continued on Wednesday.

"Positivity comes with winning. We need to start winning games and winning quickly. Wednesday is a huge game for the club and we are all aware of that. We need to go there and get a result. Saturday was an important cup win but the league is the most important just now. We are fully concentrating on the league."

Seeing influential figures like Souttar, Naismith, Conor Washington and Jamie Walker back on the pitch augurs well for the survival fight. However, Hearts also lost defenders Michael Smith and Aaron Hickey with fresh knocks. Management can only hope they recover in time for the trip to Dingwall.

Souttar stressed that the medical team at Riccarton will be doing their utmost to help, as they did during his rehabilitation. "I came back and got two weeks' training under my belt. I'd worked with the physios and sports scientists which allowed me to come back on Saturday.

"Me and Naisy both got through it fine. Credit to everyone behind the scenes at the club. Sometimes they don't get the credit they deserve but they've been brilliant with me and both my injuries. I've only got respect for them."