Robbie Neilson using Craig Wighton as Hearts' extra weapon against Arbroath

Craig Wighton’s Arbroath insight has been fully exploited by the Hearts manager Robbie Neilson ahead of the clubs’ meeting on Friday night.

Craig Wighton has given Hearts manager Robbie Neilson his insight on Arbroath.

The striker scored three times in five loan appearances for the Angus club between January and March this year, and his knowledge of their team is a useful tool as Neilson prepares his players to visit Gayfield Park.

Wighton will be part of the Hearts squad having rejoined his parent club in the summer and been instilled as second-choice striker behind Liam Boyce.

As well as hoping to play at some point in the match, he has been utilised during the build-up with his manager keen to glean information on the opposition.

Speaking at Riccarton on Thursday, Neilson said: “I spoke to Craig today about Arbroath. He knows all the players inside out, which is important.

“I just asked him about Arbroath's different players, what his thoughts on them are and what they might do. We watch their games but if you've been in the environment for a couple of months then you what the [team] changes might be.

"The boy [Thomas] O'Brien is out at centre-half because he was sent off last week. That's a big loss for them. Who will go in, what position and who moves about? It's interesting and we've got somebody who has been there.”

Wighton is expected to start on the bench, like he did in last Friday’s opening Championship win against Dundee despite scoring a hat-trick in the Betfred Cup three days previously.

“He has been doing great recently and had a couple of chances when he came on last week. It's good to have these options,” added Neilson.

“Boycie is the main striker for us at the moment. He was away on international duty and we had the Betfred Cup to get Craig game time and some goals.

“Liam came back in and I thought he led the line really well last week. Craig just has to continue doing what he's been doing, which developing and scoring goals, and he will get back in.”

Neilson is not ruling out changes to his own starting line-up despite the 6-2 victory against Dundee. Hearts’ next assignment after Arbroath is the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs at Hampden a week on Saturday.

Their players won’t be allowed to let minds wander ahead to that encounter. “I don't think it will at all. We have built this Arbroath game up probably bigger than the Dundee game,” said Neilson.

“The first game would take care of itself because it's the opening league match and it's on TV against probably one of your main competitors for the title.

“For this one, we have to make sure the players understand that it's going to be a very, very tough match.

“I have to make decisions on who plays because it's a different type of game. It will be competitive with a lot of second balls and knockdowns. You have to battle up there but you also need the composure to play.

“Although we won 6-2 last week, you pick the team you think will win the next game.”

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