Why Hearts' gameplan needs Toby Sibbick - and when he might return

Toby Sibbick has made only two Hearts appearances since arriving on loan from Barnsley. Those 146 minutes proved his worth conclusively, his absence through illness keenly felt ever since.

A debut against Rangers last month saw the midfielder instantly endear himself to the Tynecastle support in an enthralling 2-1 home victory. Another win could have followed at St Johnstone the next week but Daniel Stendel’s side had to scramble for a 3-3 draw.

Sibbick’s assist for Liam Boyce’s goal in Perth showed his attacking capabilities. However, it is his defensive protection Hearts have sorely missed since he was struck by illness at the start of the month.

Stendel’s demand for a high-pressing approach leaves the back line exposed and Sibbick’s natural instinct is to safeguard those behind him. He is the proverbial spoiler; the unsung hero who breaks up play and covers central defenders whenever gaps appear.

There have been plenty of those in the Hearts defence recently with both full-backs urged by coaches to get high up the pitch and attack opponents. Stendel likes both right-back and left-back forward at the same time, so centre-backs then need reinforcements.

Sibbick provides this by dropping back to form a three-man defence during attacking phases of play, thus freeing full-backs to overload at will on both wings. Michael Smith, another who has occupied the midfield holding role of late, can do likewise but is predominantly a right-back.

It is an in-game transition Hearts are still trying to master without Sibbick, who may not be pushed into Saturday’s Scottish Cup against Rangers with vital league fixtures to come. They are conceding goals with frightening regularity and need that midfield shield.

The best example of this tactic in modern football is Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Whenever Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson go scampering up their respective wings, the deepest central midfielder drops deep to sit beside centre-backs Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk. Fabinho or Jordan Henderson normally perform this role.

Any 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 formation using a high press needs a midfield anchor with the intelligence to plug holes. In that sense, Sibbick belies the fact he is just 20 years of age. It is no coincidence that, with him in the team, Hearts beat Rangers and feel they could also have overcome St Johnstone.

Stendel labelled him “our best player” during Barnsley’s start to this season's English Championship campaign. In conversation with the Evening News at Riccarton last week, the manager admitted Sibbick would not make last Friday’s trip to St Mirren – which was subsequently postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Yet Stendel also stated that chances of the Englishman being ready to face Rangers this weekend were “not that high” either. He may choose not to risk an important player in a cup tie which, although carrying the reward of a Scottish Cup semi-final place, cannot compare to the importance of upcoming league fixtures. Hibs at Easter Road is next.

Leaving Sibbick out may actually underline how crucial he is to Stendel’s gameplan. Two appearances, one win, one draw and one assist equal one very pivotal figure for Hearts.