THE big question on everyone’s lips at the moment is whether Hearts can maintain their challenge at the top of the table. And I have to say, I don’t see why not.

When teams outside of the Old Firm have had bright starts like this in the past, the major concern has always been how they would fare once injuries and suspensions bite in the winter, and without fail, those fears have proven to be justified as their challenge eventually fizzles out.

But I think there is something different about this Hearts side, or more accurately, their squad.

One thing that Hearts certainly do have is strength in depth. They have used more players than anyone else in the league to this point, and they have managed to maintain the quality of their line-up. What is the most impressive aspect of the way that Craig Levein has set about building this group of players at Tynecastle though is that he doesn’t seem to be satisfied.

They are sitting pretty at the top of the table having won all five games so far in the league this term, and yet, they have pushed the boat out again to bring in highly-rated attacking midfielder Sean Clare. That for me is the mark of a club with real ambition, and with the stability that has been brought to the club through the leadership of Anne Budge, they are in a position to back their manager’s goals.

That’s why it wouldn’t surprise me if Hearts open the chequebook again in January if they are still in the chase at the top end of the league and strengthen further. Why not? The turnstiles are clicking away with full houses piling into the new stand every other week, with the feelgood factor drawing the crowds in in huge numbers.

They have lost Kyle Lafferty of course, who was such a key player for them last season, but they brought money in through that sale to Rangers and as long as they can keep Steven Naismith firing, then it doesn’t look as though they will miss him that much.

What a revelation Naismith has been so far this season. Everyone knows the quality he can bring to the table, but we didn’t really see enough of that often enough last season in his previous loan spell in Edinburgh.

Now, a fully-fit Naismith is tearing up the league, ably assisted by his new partner up top, Uche Ikpeazu.

The big man has been a great find for Hearts, and he fits the Levein identikit for a player to tee. He’s big, strong and physical, and trust me, there won’t be a defender in the league that will relish coming up against him. That makes him the perfect foil for Naismith.

At the other end, John Souttar is in the form of his life, and looks to have developed into the top-class centre-back that always looked to be in there somewhere. He is taking less chances on the ball while still being so comfortable in possession, and he is more than a match for strikers now physically as well. He looks nailed on to start for Scotland in Israel after impressing against Belgium and Albania.

The big worry when Christophe Berra was ruled out with the long-term injury sustained in the win over Celtic was that Souttar would struggle without that leadership beside him, but he has taken on the mantle and the armband effortlessly.

He has been helped in that his even younger central defensive partner, Jimmy Dunne, has certainly looked the part since coming in on loan from Burnley. Watching them stand up to the physical and aerial threat of Motherwell so superbly last weekend, it was hard to believe that Souttar and Dunne are just 21 and 20 respectively.

Right through the spine of the team they look impressive, with Peter Haring and Olly Lee running the centre of the park for them too. And the thing is, if any of these key men have to sit out for any reason, then they look to have the numbers to cope.

So much credit has to go to Craig Levein for what he has put together at Hearts since taking over from Ian Cathro. Last season was disappointing for such a big club, but he now has a team who can play football but also cope with the physical challenge too.

He looks to dovetail really well with Austin MacPhee, and I’m not surprised in the slightest that the assistant manager was kept on after Cathro left.

I worked with Austin at St Mirren, and while he was solely used as an analyst back then, his analysis was by far the best I had seen in my career. His tactical knowledge and his attention to detail when it came to the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition was incredible, and it looks to be a great partnership they have built there.

All-in-all, these are great times in Gorgie. And I can’t see any reason why it can’t stay that way.