Are ‘magnificent’ Hearts now on course for top six?

Head coach Critchley praised his side for being “clinical” on the break at Dens, as well as looking resolute defensively.

Dundee, it should be said, were abject, but Hearts’ attacking threat contributed to such fecklessness.

Central to that was the return of the talismanic Lawrence Shankland.

The Scotland international had only scored four all season, having netted 31 last term, and missed most of Hearts’ January fixtures before returning last weekend.

However, it was his instinctive finish that started the rout on Saturday and his all-round play added real cohesion to his side in the final third.

His partnership with Elton Kabangu also looks to have promise, with the Belgian scoring twice.

“Lawrence has looked like the real deal in training,” Critchley said. “Maybe he just needed that little break to freshen himself up physically and mentally.

“And Elton is a brilliant person to have around every day. He is so positive. Brilliant with his team-mates, a humble guy, and a constant threat. He wants to score goals.”