Kilmarnock left-back Kevin McHattie aims to prove a point by taking the three that are on offer at Tynecastle on Saturday.

The 22-year-old faces his former club for the first time since leaving Hearts at the end of the transfer window having been cup-tied for the Ayrshire club's League Cup defeat.

McHattie is joined by the likes of manager Gary Locke and goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald in returning to face the Jambos in the Ladbrokes Premiership and he admits there is no problem with motivation.

"We are going out to prove a point," said McHattie, who made 82 appearances for Hearts. "Obviously they thought we weren't good enough and things like that. Hopefully we go back and prove a point and take three points.

"That's the way to react from setbacks in life, you just have to take it on the front foot, take a step forward and see what"s available around you. I came here and It's a great opportunity for me to play.

"That's why I left Hearts, to get game time. At my age you need to play week in, week out.

"I had to do it for my career. I think it was time for a change. I had been at the club for five years.

"It was obviously great being there but coming here I think t

Meanwhile, Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson vowed to continue speaking his mind despite being handed a suspended two-match ban by an SFA disciplinary panel.

Neilson was found guilty of "indicating bias or incompetence" against Willie Collum and his team of match officials by revealing they had trained with 10 men in the lead-up to their defeat at Hamilton in August.

Following Callum Paterson's red card, which was later rescinded, Neilson said: "In the recent past, the statistics involving the officials have shown a lot of red cards against us, so we have to prepare for it. The next time we get these officials, we will again train with 10 men."

Neilson went to Hampden on Thursday armed with statistics which backed up his assertion - Collum has sent off four Hearts players in six games - but defeat and the prospect of a touchline ban will not alter his approach.

"Not at all, I will say what I believe I want to say," he said. "I'm not going to have any issues with that.

"I was disappointed at the outcome but you stand by it. They decided what they decided and we have to move on.

"It's part of football, they make their decision and we have to accept it."