Liam Fox began it with an impressive interim spell that resulted in four consecutive wins in the final four games of the season, despite finishing in the bottom six. Derek McInnes carried that through the Premier Sports Cup group stage and the Premiership season.

According to Hearts Stats, the club has won 10 consecutive competitive matches, the longest winning streak since 1959/60, when Hearts won the league title. Back then, they won at Ibrox and Pittodrie, thrashed Cowdenbeath 9-3 in the League Cup semi-finals, and defeated Third Lanark in the final.

Liam Fox began it with an impressive interim spell that resulted in four consecutive wins in the final four games of the season, despite finishing in the bottom six. Derek McInnes carried that through the Premier Sports Cup group stage and the Premiership season.

According to Hearts Stats, the club has won 10 consecutive competitive matches, the longest winning streak since 1959/60, when Hearts won the league title.

Back then, they won at Ibrox and Pittodrie, thrashed Cowdenbeath 9-3 in the League Cup semi-finals, and defeated Third Lanark in the final.

We are not saying that Hearts will win both the League Cup and the Scottish Premiership this season.

However, we do not rule out the possibility that they will. From the outside, people will point to last season’s bottom six results, followed by League Cup games against lower-league opposition.

However, you can only beat what is in front of you. Second, winning is one of the best ways to foster a positive dressing room and team spirit, regardless of who the opposition is. Derek McInnes said something after the Aberdeen game that should encourage Hearts fans.

“We had a team screaming to win the game of football there,” he told me. “Absolutely busting.” Even when Morris flees near the end, four of our boys pursue him.

The unity that has been shown. To be honest, working with them makes me feel like I’ve been here a lot longer. I think the players deserve a lot of credit for trying to create that kind of family atmosphere.” That togetherness was on display at Tannadice, where the team battled, fought, and won together.

It was always going to be a question mark this summer due to a squad overhaul, with popular players like Jorge Grant and Yan Dhanda departing, new arrivals, many from abroad, and even squad size.

However, it is a testament to those who remained and key figures in the dressing room, such as Lawrence Shankland, Frankie Kent, Craig Halkett, and Cammy Devlin, as well as the character and personality of those who were signed.

A number of players credit the week in Spain with helping to foster team spirit and integrate some of the new players, including Kyziridis, Findlay, Claudio Braga, Christian Borchgrevink, and Oisin McEntee.

Hearts Standard witnessed this in action, whether it was a laugh and joke during boxes before training or playing games during downtime at the club’s training facility.

At the same time, the competitive nature and desire to win were on full display during small-sided games, with players not only getting involved but also demanding of one another.

(Image: Mark Scates – SNS Group)

A proper sense of togetherness and team spirit allows players to express themselves, to establish demands and standards, and to have blunt conversations without issues arising as a result.

A variety of factors, both positive and negative, play a role in football. With the squad dynamic and a positive team spirit, a head coach or manager is needed to ensure that it is nurtured and then harnessed.

When the Hearts Standard spoke with players who had previously worked under Derek McInnes at other clubs, as well as staff members, the consistent theme was that the Hearts head coach is an excellent man manager.

It is a combination that has instilled confidence in the locker room and on the terraces, where it has been accompanied by excitement and enthusiasm.

Supporters see a team that, while not perfect, will run, battle, and fight for one another. That was evident against Aberdeen when they went after the Don. And it was clear once more at Tannadice. This time, it was aiming for a winner. A mindset that fans want to see.

Many would consider a draw at Tannadice, after trailing 1-0 at halftime, to be a good point, but Hearts wanted all three. They did not give up in their pursuit of it, and they were rewarded.

It prompted a Gorgie-style totem pole with the team spirit on full display.

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