Hearts B head coach Liam Fox admits players and staff are all aware of what's on the line, as the Wee Jambos prepare to face Bo'ness United on Friday, but says the preparation and build-up will remain the same.
It's second against third for the men in maroon's final home match of the season and three points for Hearts, all but guarantees a second place finish in the Lowland League.
That would be a brilliant achievement for a young Hearts side, but Fox admits that he will judge the season on the players improvement, rather than their final league position.
“It's a big game, but for me, every time the players go and represent Heart of Midlothian, it’s a big game," Fox told the Official Hearts Website.
"You can’t get away from the fact that there is a lot at stake. We have had a very, very good season so far, with some good victories and performances, but the most important thing for me, is that we're working every day to get the players as ready for first-team football as we can and that will always be my priority.
“The opportunity to finish second in the Lowland League is there for us and we’re in that position because of the performances and results that the players have produced. But that is not how our season will be judged for me, it will be on the improvement of individual players.
“We’ve been consistent in our approach to games, so there will be nothing different this week. The players don’t need me to tell them that this is a big game, they know that themselves, but there is a level of pressure on them every time they represent the football club.
"It’s a game we’re looking forward to. We come into it off the back of a consistent run of victories and a reasonably consistent level of performances. As always, there are ups and downs in these games, but it’s a great opportunity for these young players and it’s one that we just can’t wait for the game to start."
It was 3-3 when the sides last met in October and with the Wee Jambos having won their last seven matches and Bo'ness with six wins and one draw in their last seven, it's got the makings of a very exciting match under the lights at Ainslie Park.
“There will be difficult moments," Fox continued. "Bo’ness have had a fantastic season as well. They have good experience and good physicality in their team, and they deserve to be up there challenging.
“It was before Christmas that we played them, so a lot of time has passed. I thought for the first 45 minutes that day, we were very good. But credit to Bo’ness, as they came back at us and really made us defend.
“It was an open game. You never know how a game of football is going to go, you can prepare for all sorts of outcomes, but my job is to make sure we prepare for the framework of how we want it to go.
“So, there are a lot of challenges that we will face, but if you want to play for Hearts, you want to play in these big games, with achievements on the line and pressure riding on them."
It’s a 7:45 kick-off at Ainslie Park. Tickets are available on the gate.
£5 for adults, £2 for concessions and U12s go free. Turnstiles open from 7pm.
