Championship leaders Hearts will head to Cowdenbeath confident of continuing their enviable unbeaten league run this afternoon, but Blue Brazil boss Jimmy Nicholl has suggested they will be in for a rough ride.
Last weekend at Ibrox, Nicholl freely admitted that the Blue Brazil set out to frustrate Rangers and did so as the hosts only ran out 1-0 winners in the end.
This afternoon’s fixture, however, promises to be a different story altogether as the home side try to make it as uncomfortable as possible for Robbie Neilson’s high-flying team.
The Jambos are now the only club in the country with an unblemished league record after Chelsea’s loss last weekend, and Nicholl insists home advantage means his men will not merely sit back and soak up the pressure when they visit this afternoon.
“We’re at home and we have to have a go,” he stressed.
“The Rangers game was different because they had been beaten by Alloa in the cup midweek and we expected a reaction that we were ready for, but at home we have to impress ourselves on them.
“If we don’t get goals it won’t be because we’ve sat back and let them dictate play.
“It will be difficult but I think we’re good enough to get something from the game.
“There’s no point in saying people don’t like coming to Central Park if we end up making it easy for them.”
Cowden are looking to pick up points to not only move themselves away from bottom club Livingston but also to leapfrog eighth-placed Alloa, although Nicholl is well aware the size of the task facing his team today.
“Hearts are absolutely flying and they have dangers all over the park,” Nicholl conceded.
“They will bring a good away support and it should be a good atmosphere, so it’s a challenge for the players and one they have to stand up to.
“We know it will be difficult but we’ve a difficult few weeks coming up – I can name you all the fixtures and they’re all difficult.”