Hearts have the hunger, talent and sheer will-to-win to stay in this title race… but they are going to have to move up a gear to land the crown

There’s 69 minutes on the clock. Hearts are a goal up and still trying to get a grip on a game that has been a bit of a struggle. Harry Milne loses the ball up the left flank and Falkirk’s Keelan Adams embarks upon another charge upfield.

Dealing with transitions has been a bit of a problem. Despite the home crowd staying resolutely behind their team, there is an almost tangible apprehension in the air as the ever-dangerous Calvin Miller, a revelation this term, takes a pass from his team-mate out right and sets sail for the bye-line.

That’s when Stuart Findlay intervenes. The home centre-half gets across, uses his physique and sclaffs the ball to safety using the most ungainly looking tackle. As a cheer goes up from the punters, goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow is there, roaring in Findlay’s direction, celebrating as if the goal to win the championship had just been scored.

Schwolow, of course, had spent the previous evening suffering from sickness and diarrhoea. It looked like he’d be spending the day under the covers as his colleagues attempted to move ever closer to the impossible dream.

Aware of the fact back-up keeper Craig Gordon was out with a new shoulder problem, though, the German reported for duty. And although he didn’t have a massive amount to do — a save from a crisp Kyrell Wilson shot early doors probably his main contribution — he was there, present, exhibiting to everyone watching just exactly what this means.

Schwolow’s scream of delight at Findlay’s important challenge spoke to the will to win that exists within this Hearts team. The will to somehow get this momentous effort to win a title against all odds over the finishing line. It’s great to see.

Claudio Braga didn’t get the glory this time but he continued to lead the line with aplomb

Hearts goalscorer Islam Chesnokov and goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow hail the home fans

All through the side, though, there are clear signs that there is going to be no problem with attitude or application as the final few furlongs of this most incredible stamina contest draw into view.

Milne is just such a flagbearer when it comes to mustering up the spirit to keep grinding out results. Bedded in at left-back right now, he is happy to play anywhere. He keeps running, keeps tackling and can deliver real moments of quality too.

It was his pass inside to Alexandros Kyziridis that led to Islam Chesnokov’s match-winning goal at the very end of the first half. If Hearts do make this happen, Milne will be a real unsung hero.

Findlay and Craig Halkett are playing through injuries at the back. Manager Derek McInnes is just trying to nurse them through Saturday’s visit of Aberdeen before cup weekend and the international break arrives to give them a bit of time to rest and recover. When it got tough on Saturday, they were there putting their bodies on the line.

McInnes made special mention of Michael Steinwender too. There’s a feeling around Tynecastle that winter signing Jordi Altena would be a better bet there. While Steinwender lacks the attacking threat of Altena, though, he is disciplined and dogged.

Claudio Braga has been a constant throughout this season and is now bearing the responsibility of leading the line on his own. He’s undoubtedly better working in tandem with Lawrence Shankland, but Shankland’s injured. 

Chesnokov turns away to celebrate after his goal on the cusp of half-time flattened Falkirk

And Braga, although getting little joy against Falkirk and even less service, is not the type to hide. He looks fully engaged, to the degree that McInnes had to push him away from fourth official Colin Steven at one point as he raged against a decision on the touchline.

Kyziridis has done a hell of a lot of heavy lifting this season, too. He isn’t creating the same havoc he did at stages earlier in the campaign. However, he is still delivering moments. Key moments.

 His reverse pass for Chesnokov for the goal was sublime. He tested visiting goalkeeper Scott Bain with a great shot near the end too.

Fair play to Chesnokov as well. He arrived from Kazakhstan with a need to get up to speed and was toiling to do anything on the ball in the first half. He actually looked like a prime candidate to be taken off at half-time. 

But he got his goal and blossomed after the break, looked way more confident. McInnes describes him as ‘a Trojan’ and the hardest-working winger he’s ever worked with.

From the outside looking in, hunger and commitment within the ranks is not a problem for McInnes. It’s just a question of finding the balance between that and other elements that will be essential in the heat of battle in the weeks and months ahead. Calmness. Composure. A clinical edge. A greater discipline at times.

Hearts full-back Harry Milne was exceptional yet again and epitomised the spirit in the team

McInnes admitted himself there was anxiety within the team for a long stretch of the first half. He admitted the side have to tighten up in terms of dealing with counter attacking situations. At half-time, he told the players to get more vocal on the pitch, talk each other through things, make themselves heard.

This is where his man-management is going to be tested. There’s so much on the line here for players who have never been in this position. He has to make sure they don’t go into their shells when things aren’t going well. Has to make sure they keep the heartrate down and the blood ice-cold when the heat is on.

He also needs a way to figure out how to bump up the levels of chance creation. Hearts could have won by more in the end here, but, in that first half in particular, there was a real lack of danger about them. They are capable of more.

They’ve shown it and must rediscover it, because they can win this title against a flaky Old Firm. That’s not up for debate. And they should go into the five-game dogfight after the split still in front.

Hearts have given more to this exceptional season than anyone could have envisaged, but the expectations on them have changed as a result. They’ve set the standard, but, as their manager keeps saying, they need to get better.

There is a requirement now to look at them with a more critical eye as history comes within their grasp.

McInnes endured a trying afternoon on the touchline and can look forward to more in the run-in

Looking at their last five fixtures before the league separates the top six from the bottom half-dozen, they really ought to win all of them.

Aberdeen, although enjoying broadly similar resources, are shorn of confidence and without a manager.

After that, it’s Kilmarnock and Livingston away and Dundee and Motherwell at home. Hearts have a far bigger budget than any of those clubs. They have a bigger and better squad.

Winning every single of those matches is a realistic target — maybe even a necessity — and would set things up nicely for the likes of Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin returning from injury for the run-in.

It’s all there for them. From Schwolow through to Braga up front, the desire is evident. That, alone, won’t be enough, though. Concentration, diligence and finding ways to block out any semblance of self-doubt will be critical too.

Full hearts take you a long way. Focused heads get you over the line.