IN terms of last season's troughs, Hearts' 7-0 William Hill Scottish Cup obliteration at the hands of Celtic was only eclipsed by confirmation that the administration-hit club had finally lost their battle to remain in the top flight.
It is no surprise, then, that winger Jamie Walker regards Wednesday's League Cup trip to Parkhead as an acid test as the Tynecastle club look to measure their return to health on the pitch. Saturday's 5-1 defeat of Cowdenbeath has left Robbie Neilson's side sitting proudly at the SPFL Championship summit following a sequence of five wins and one draw.
Neilson turned to his fringe players and youngsters in their two previous cup games this season but Walker, after scoring in his first league start of the campaign at the weekend, is keen to be involved in Glasgow.
"It's a massive game on Wednesday," he said. "It's a big test for us and we'll see how far we've come. Hopefully we can put in a good performance. I played against Celtic last season and it's going to be a tough game, they're probably one of the best teams in Scotland. Everyone wants to play but obviously it's down to the gaffer to decide who he picks.
"I've been waiting for my chance and it came on Saturday. The first half wasn't great but I was delighted to get the goal and win the penalty. The three points is the main thing."
Hearts went ahead after just 15 minutes on Saturday when Billy King scored from inside the area. Calum Gallagher bundled home an equaliser in the 21st minute for the part-time side after Kudus Oyenuga's shot was only parried by goalkeeper Neil Alexander. Hearts came flying out of the blocks in the second half and regained the lead through Walker's header. Osman Sow scored a contentious penalty before substitute Dale Carrick added a late brace.
Cowdenbeath's Gallagher, meanwhile, said he hopes his loan stint at Central Park will propel him into the first team plans at Rangers.
"It's good to challenge yourself doing these things," he said. "I'm enjoying my time at Central Park."
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