Tosh McKinlay believes that Hearts’ trophy credentials will be sorely tested over the next month.
As well as facing Celtic in the SPFL and Betfred Cup Craig Levein’s side take on Aberdeen and Hibs on the back of losing to Sevco before the international break.
McKinlay spent six years at Tynecastle before joining Celtic in 1994 and played his part in a few teams that threatened to be successful.
Hearts are currently enjoying their best start to a season since George Burley was in charge 13 years ago but their former left-back feels that the next batch of games will examine their credentials in full.
“If you want to win championships and cups, you have to go out and beat all these teams,” McKinlay, who now works as a Celtic scout told The Sun looking at the upcoming fixture list.
“Celtic are under scrutiny at the moment, but I haven’t seen any prizes handed out in October yet. The last time I looked they get handed out in May.
“Celtic are still in charge at the moment and someone has to knock them off their pedestal.
“Hearts are doing very well at the moment, but it’s a tough test coming up for Craig and his players and we’ll see how they cope with it.
“The year (1991/92) we challenged we went 15 games unbeaten under Joe — until the wheels came off against Aberdeen at Tynecastle. We still finished runners-up to Rangers and the place was packed out every week.”
Next up for Hearts is the visit of Aberdeen to Tynecastle with the match just as important to the visitors.
Derek McInnes’ side are currently seven points behind Hearts- if that gap is stretched to 10 the pressure will be on the Dons ahead of their Betfred Cup semi-final against Sevco at Hampden.
