Two stoppage-time goals were not the belated Christmas present for which Neil Critchley was hoping as his Hearts side squandered a two-goal lead away to Ross County last time out.

Coming immediately after losing the Boxing Day derby at home to Hibernian, it means the pressure that lifted off the Englishman’s shoulders following his side’s win over St Johnstone to move themselves above the Saints at the bottom of the table has swiftly returned.

Hosting a Motherwell side who have only lost once in five outings – away to leaders Celtic – and were unfortunate to only draw at home to Rangers last time out is not the easiest of introductions to a new year.

Indeed, the Edinburgh side suffered a 3-1 reverse the last time the sides met at Fir Park in August.

However, Critchley reckoned it was only two “crazy moments” that prevented them leaving Dingwall with only their third win in 12 outings.

Could this be the time for Lawrence Shankland to rediscover his scoring touch considering the Scotland striker has been directly involved in eight goals in his last eight league appearances against Motherwell, scoring six and assisting two?

Or will 17-year-old strike partner James Wilson build on his Dingwall double in a fixture that has failed to produce a draw in 11 meetings since March 2020?

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