RENEWED McKAY EYES AN OLD FIRM DOUBLE

THE continued absence of injured skipper Danny Wilson is a worry for Hearts as they enter a crucial couple of weeks — but replacement Brad McKay is determined to stake his claim for a mouthwatering Old Firm double-header. Defender McKay, 21, made his first appearance for the Championship pacesetters in over two months when he filled in for Wilson in last week’s 1-0 win against Raith Rovers. As well as maintaining the Gorgie outfit’s unbeaten run and keeping them four points clear of Ally McCoist’s men at the top, it also proved a cathartic comeback for McKay who recently approached head coach Neilson to ask what he needed to do to secure a return to the side. Having been ordered to focus on defending and gain a level of consistency, the Scotland Under-21 cap says his self-belief is returning — and he has no intention of losing his hard-earned place. With Wilson still suffering a hamstring problem, McKay will start this evening’s teatime clash at Falkirk. An impressive display from the defender could give Neilson a selection headache ahead of next Saturday’s league clash with Rangers and the following week’s Scottish Cup visit by Celtic. McKay said: ‘Games against the likes of Rangers and Celtic definitely drive you on. I’m determined to show I’m good enough to be a regular. ‘I need to focus on the Falkirk game and concentrate on just doing what I’m good at and hopefully that will be enough to stake my claim. ‘It’s a difficult place to be in when you are not playing and there are a lot of unanswered questions. ‘You are training all week and don’t know what you’re working for and you start to question yourself. ‘I asked the manager: “What do I need to do to play for you?” He told me to be consistent and, first and foremost, defend. In Under-20s matches I was complicating things and trying to impress far too much. ‘I started to defend better and feel better for that. I’ve started to believe I am a good player again and I’m doing the things I’m good at — back to basics.’ Meanwhile, a resurgent Hibernian will hope to close the three-point gap on third-placed visitors Queen of the South in their bid for a play-off place, but will be wary that Easter Road has proved a happy hunting ground for visiting striker John Baird. Baird, who scored the winner there for Raith against Rangers in last season’s Challenge Cup final, warned: ‘I’ve got great memories but the only way I’ll really enjoy Saturday is if we can win. ‘If we go six points ahead of them it would be frightening considering the difference in squads and budget.’