Strong Start Shows Desired Style

For the first 10 minutes, Hearts were tremendous. They came flying out the traps and could have scored within the opening minute, had Shankland found the net rather than Pars goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet's palms. Their play was sharp and speedy, getting the ball into the final third as soon as possible. McInnes was heard hollering at his defenders to get the ball to Shankland and Wilson even quicker.

Incoming Wingers Will Be Welcomed

Among those new bodies are likely to be wingers Sabah Kerjota and Pierre Landry Kabore who have long been reported to be Hearts players this term. McInnes said pre-match the club are 'quite far down the line' in signing two wingers and Saturday's run out suggested why. One of only two starting debutants, Claudio Braga on the left was key to the quick start, but the Pars soon sussed out the Portuguese. It was quite clear he wasn't an out-and-out winger.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

He won't publicly take much praise for it, but McInnes was instrumental in ensuring Scotland striker Shankland stayed with Hearts and signed a new deal. He talked up his captain, but never applied a hard deadline for a decision on a new contract. His patience and persistence paid off, and Hearts are already reaping the rewards. Shankland didn't look like a guy who'd spent a chunk of pre-season weighing up his options - while also holidaying and getting married.