Having amassed just one point from their two SPL games so far, in the home divide against Motherwell, Saints are anxious to chalk up their first three points in the SPL.

And as he looked ahead, midfield man Liam Craig said, “There should be a great atmosphere, and I’m really looking forward to the match.

“After Saturday’s loss to Celtic, it was good to go and score six at Arbroath.

“The SPL is a step up for us after winning the First Division. You really do get punished for the mistakes you make in this league.

“We are keen to get going on Sunday. We worked hard to get here and intend to stay, so three points against Hearts would be very nice.

“Things have gone well for us so far. We had a good pre-season and we’ve started the season reasonably well.”

Liam spent a couple of years with Hearts as a teenager. After being with Saints in his early teenage years, Liam went to Tynecastle, but then Ipswich came calling and he signed on at Portman Road.

Liam then came back up north to Falkirk and is now enjoying life with the rejuvenated Saints.

“There’s no one at Hearts from my time there as all the boys I played alongside have moved on,” Liam added.

“I was a Hearts player then but I’m a St Johnstone player now and am looking for a victory on Sunday.”

A strain kept Murray Davidson out against Arbroath but he’s likely to return to the squad. Jody Morris was rested for the trip to Gayfield but will also be back in the pool.

Danny Grainger suffered a head knock on Wednesday but should be OK.

Having made five changes for the Arbroath win from the side which lost to Celtic, manager Derek McInnes faces a selection poser.

“The competition for places is good, a fine situation for a manager. We’ve taken confidence from our win at Arbroath and we’ll be ready for Hearts,” he said.