Findlay is now part of the Hearts’ feared set-piece threat. The team has scored from set plays in all of its competitive games this season.

In addition to his two goals in the 3-2 win over Dundee United, he won the penalty that allowed Lawrence Shankland to open the scoring.

This is part of a coordinated effort to improve in that area. That comes from the management team, the addition of Ross Grant as set-piece coach, quality deliveries, and players like Findlay who are willing to go after it.

“We’ve got quality in abundance in the right areas; they’ve brought in these new players for a reason,” the defensive midfielder claimed.

“When the game is tight, you have players who can produce high-quality moments. I may be the one who makes headlines by putting the ball in the net, but first I must have the ball placed on my head.

“I think deliveries throughout the game, we always look dangerous in the areas, and that’s a credit to Ross for setting us up the way he does.

It’s a testament to the guys hitting the ball and the boys putting it in. “I think it’s a team effort, and as I said, I’m just lucky enough to be the one sitting here reaping the rewards of the double.”

Findlay’s three headed goals over the last two games have all been different. He put himself in a dangerous position against Aberdeen, but his bravery paid off when he nodded over Dimitar Mitov from close range. The winning goal against United in stoppage tim saw him stoop to direct Alexandros Kyzirids’ low corner for the winner.

But it was the one in between, a towering header into the top corner of Tannadice, that was the most visually appealing. If there were a museum of headed goals, it would make an excellent centrepiece.

“The first goal is probably the best header I have scored technically,” he noted. “The second one, just as soon as I saw the ball coming in, I gambled on the front-post run and luckily enough, I got a good connection on it.

“The rest is sort of history, as they say. I didn’t realise how late it was in the game. That made it a lot easier when you looked up at the clock and you didn’t need to defend for long after that.

“But it was a special moment and I’m buzzing.”

When asked if he’s worked hard on his attacking threat, Findlay added: “If you’d watched me over the last couple of years, you wouldn’t say that! I think I’ve scored two in the last two seasons.

“So it’s not something I’m known for, but I said after I scored my first one, it’s something I want to add to my game.

“Me and Halks sort of have a little joke with each other, to see who can get the most goals out of a competition.

“It started after the controversy of the Stirling Albion goal, but yeah, that’s me two ahead of him now.

“Obviously, it’s something we’re working on as a team, but my bread and butter is keeping them out at the other end.

“The two goals we lost today brought us back down to earth and we know there are things we need to improve on.

“But I’ll take my goals when they come – they don’t happen too often.” Craig Halkett is arguably the club’s best header and one of the best in the country.

Findlay’s two goals put him 4-2 ahead of his teammate. Of course, one of Halkett’s goals came at Stirling Albion, where Findlay followed up and ensured it went in the net.

(Image: Mark Scates – SNS Group)

But, most importantly, was it Halkett’s goal? “I’ll give Halks that one, I’ve got two on Sunday,” Findlay said, smiling. It reflects the camaraderie in the Hearts dressing room. The squad’s “resilience and never-say-die attitude” was noted by Findlay.

That has been evident in how the team has worked together over the first two games. It also refers to the personalities that the club has hired. A few weeks ago, Kyziridis addressed “Stu” as his brother. Findlay revealed that he has really hit it off with the Greek winger.

“When I signed, obviously, you have played against a few guys, you know what they’re like on the pitch,” Findlay told reporters.

“You don’t know what they’re like off the pitch, but the changing room is absolutely fantastic. “We have boys coming from all over the world. Guys like Kyzi, I never expected to be friends with a guy from Greece, but we hit it off right away.

You form friendships with guys you wouldn’t normally associate with. “You can’t win football games like that unless you have unity in the locker room.

“As I said, I think we’re only going to get stronger, we’re only going to get to know each other better on and off the pitch, and I’m excited for what’s going to happen going forward.” The two wins in the first two league games have contributed to the club’s positive momentum.

Findlay’s message is that this is only the beginning – an excellent start – and that there will be more to come, but confidence is growing as a result of these two results. “In the first half, we probably had the majority of the play, but we knew ourselves that there was a lot to improve on,” he recalled.

“We weren’t particularly pleased with the two goals we conceded.

We needed to improve in certain situations, but we knew they would tire – we knew how hard they had worked on Thursday night – and we had to take advantage of that.

“We knew set pieces were going to be important. So to come up with that, obviously I’m thrilled it was me, but we didn’t care. “That was a huge three points for us.

I know it’s early, but getting six points out of six could be very important for us.” He continued, “On Monday against Aberdeen, we were the better side throughout, but we knew we weren’t at our free-flowing best. We would be the first to admit that.

“I believe Sunday, too, will not be the most vintage 90 minutes. “I believe we were the better team and deserved to win, but if we can combine our quality with our resilience and never-say-die attitude, we’ll be able to win ugly games.

“We know where we can improve, and we know it will only get better as we play and gel together.

“Tannadice is a difficult place to come to; they finished fifth last year for a reason. So coming here and scoring three points is a massive victory.

“Aberdeen and Dundee United haven’t been the easiest start in the world, so to start with six points, it’s a testament to the squad.”

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