Craig Halkett insists the Hearts squad remain completely unfazed despite the huge increased focus on the club this season.
Derek McInnes’ side are five points above second-placed Rangers and six clear of Celtic before a high-stakes trip to Ibrox on Sunday.
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“I don’t think the boys would say that they constantly sit on social media or news outlets and read what’s being said about them,” said defender Halkett.
“I’ve watched Scottish football all my life and in my lifetime, certainly it’s unusual for Hearts to be in this position at this time of the year.
“I think the fact that the majority of the boys in the changing room haven’t been in this position before is a good thing.
“We don’t have any past experience to fall back on or any worries about being in this position. We’ve not done it. Everyone’s just going with the flow and just doing the best that we can every single week.
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“I think it’s obviously a good thing that world football are looking at Hearts and seeing Hearts’ name out there and making the club known all across the world. That’s only a good thing.
“All the boys are buzzing coming in every day. We’ve been top of the league for a while now but I don’t think anyone’s really thinking or starting to worry that if we don’t win this game or we win that game, where are we going to be?
“Personally, I’m not feeling too much pressure. It’s just the pressure to go and win the game at the weekend and then see where it takes us.
“It’s been such a great season, you’re just so glad to be involved in it.”
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Halkett started just 29 matches across the previous three seasons as injuries threatened to end his time at Hearts. But the 30-year-old has started 24 of their 31 games this term and been one of their key players.
“It’s obviously been well documented that I’ve struggled for a period of time in the last few years,” he said.
“It’s been over three years since I’ve played this amount of games in a single season so on a personal note, it’s been hugely satisfying.
“I’ve always been confident that the performances I’ve been putting in this season have been there but I’ve just not really had that chance to do it consistently, so to do it this year, it’s been great. I’m loving every minute of it.”