The Edinburgh derby can be an assault on the senses.

The latest one certainly gave Pat Fenlon an ear bashing, while there will likely have been a few scorch marks around those of Jamie MacDonald, too. The Hearts' goalkeeper's lugs would have been burning following his side's win in Wednesday's Scottish League Cup quarter-final as his performance has since invited effusive praise and speculation about a call-up to the Scotland squad next week.

The more succinct compliments paid to the 27-year-old's display at Easter Road included the suggestion that he had won the cup tie single-handedly. This would be unfair on MacDonald. He used both of them, turning a number of shots past his posts and one bludgeoned effort from Scott Robertson on to the crossbar.

It was that save, in particular, that Gary Locke recalled yesterday as he pressed his goalkeeper's credentials to be selected by Gordon Strachan for friendlies against the United States and Norway later this month. With David Marshall, Matt Gilks and Cammy Bell already ahead of MacDonald in the pecking order it would seem unlikely that he will be drafted for national service, although that should not serve to diminish the impression which the Hearts man is making this season.

The Tynecastle side are laden with financial problems and have not yet elevated themselves to zero points in the SPFL Premiership, but the form of MacDonald has at least allowed them a sense of renewed purpose ahead of a return to league duty at home to St Johnstone this afternoon. It also gave Locke an opportunity to get through a media conference without having to refer to the club's dire financial position.

"Jamie's save [against Robertson] was sensational and he has been fantastic this season," said the Hearts manager. "I think he's good enough for Scotland. I'm not going to pick anyone else's team but I'm sure Gordon's aware of how he's playing at the moment. Scotland have got fantastic goalkeepers - there's no doubt about that - but I'm pretty sure the way Jamie's playing, he's pushing for a place."

Locke later confirmed that Ryan Stevenson is also pushing for a place today, which had not been certain after the midfielder was carried off on a stretcher during a defeat by Kilmarnock last weekend. Concerns of a serious knee injury felt as ill-timed for Hearts as a lunging tackle from James McPake - Callum Paterson is also available to face St Johnstone - given that he is a rare source of experience amid a young and vulnerable Hearts team.

"Certainly in our predicament, you need boys like Ryan that are prepared to give everything every week," Locke added. "It's great because the young boys see that level of effort and commitment and it rubs off on them. He's a great lad as well and is really infectious with all the younger ones.

"He's always encouraging them and scoring goals against Hibs will always help endear him to the Hearts fans. His effort and commitment was there for all to see the other night. You've got a better chance of winning with players like Ryan playing."

St Johnstone should be aware of his presence at Tynecastle, then, but the Perth side will not be intimidated after reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup themselves. That needed a bit of extra effort away to Morton but it has left Chris Millar with a bit of a spring in his step ahead of the trip to Edinburgh.

"We want to kick on now to cement our top six place," said the midfielder. "They will be buoyant, like us, and they always have a fantastic crowd at Tynecastle. They have been struggling, with a young side and injuries, but we have just got to look after ourselves and our confidence will be massive after Wednesday."