Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson admits he is saddened club legend Dave Mackay did not get the chance to see the current team be crowned Championship winners.
The Gorgie outfit were plunged into mourning when arguably their greatest ever player passed away at the start of month at the age of 80.
In their first game since the left-half died, Hearts will hold a minute's silence before today's visit of Dumbarton and are planning to celebrate Mackay's life with a victory that will maintain at least a 17-point lead over Hibs at the summit. Scotland international Mackay captained the side to Division One glory in 1958 and Neilson admits taking the chequered flag would also be an apt tribute to their former player.
Neilson said: "I think it would be fitting if we win the league. It would be nice if he was here to see it, but he's not going to be. I'm sure he would have come along. He was a huge Hearts fan, there are quotes in the dressing room from Dave that he said during the course of his career here. "I was lucky enough to meet him a few times and he had a good personality, even in his late 70s.
"He has been a big part of the club so we would like to think we can put on a performance on Saturday. It's going to be a big day for everyone, Dave was a huge part of the club as a player, but also with the image he projected. He went down to England and won titles at Tottenham and Derby and was a huge player."
Neilson also hopes his players are inspired by Mackay's career in the game. He added: "People grow up desperate to play for Hearts and some get the chance to do it. There are guys like Jamie Walker, Sam Nicholson and Adam King who have been Hearts fans all their lives. Hopefully they can have even a quarter of the impact Dave had down in England, it would be great for them."
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