IAN MURRAY has seen his Dumbarton side outclassed at Ibrox and shine on Leith.

Now he reckons they face their toughest test at Tynecastle when they take on top-of-the-table Hearts this afternoon.

The Sons were beaten 4-1 when they faced Ally McCoist's side on the third weekend of the Championship campaign before Murray claimed a point on his Easter Road homecoming last week.

A return to Tynecastle today, the former Hibs skipper's first as a manager, will see Murray's men bid to end Hearts' unbeaten run.

Dumbarton are the only team to take a point off the Jambos this term, but could find it difficult to repeat the trick today.

Murray said: "They don't come much tougher than this at the moment. They have won eight out of nine and are top of the league.

"We go there expecting a tough afternoon but full of confidence.

"We picked up a point at Easter Road and played well, but, when we went to Ibrox, Rangers were really good that day.

"You can't argue with the league table, though, and Hearts are nine points clear, albeit with a game in hand.

"You have to say, at the moment, that Hearts are the team to beat.

"Like any run, it has to come to an end at some point so hopefully we can be the team that manages to take three points from them."

Having sampled the Tynecastle atmosphere on several occasions during his playing career in the capital and with Rangers, Murray knows what to expect come kick-off.

The Gorgie faithful have turned up in huge numbers as they look to inspire Robbie Neilson's side to the second-tier title.

The Leith legend is likely to get a hostile reception, but he is confident his Sons stars will relish the occasion this afternoon.

Murray said: "I know it is coming and it is not going to affect me or the game, to be honest. It might even help our players a bit if the pressure is taken off them by the crowd.

"It is going to be a packed stadium and a great atmosphere. Whatever reception I get, it is something I am expecting and will handle.

"It is not something that has bothered me before when I have been there or will affect how I approach the game.

"The only difference this time is that I am on the touchline rather than on the pitch.

"Tynecastle has always had a great atmosphere. The fans are right on top of you and the pitch is nice and tight, which should suit us more than perhaps Easter Road or Ibrox did.

"Hearts are a club that are on the up and are selling our their stadium, so it is a fantastic chance for us."

While Hearts head into the Championship clash with the title in mind, Dumbarton need points for a different reason.

After a sticky start to the campaign that saw them lose to Queen of the South, Raith and Rangers on the spin, the Sons collected their first point of the campaign when Hearts visited the Rock in September.

They are unbeaten since as they have moved to within four points of the play-offs.

And Murray has taken plenty of confidence from that Jambos duel as he looks to inflict a first defeat of the season on the league leaders.

He said: "I thought we were excellent that day. It was one of our best performances of the season and we could have won.

"Hearts had a lot of possession, but didn't do a lot with the ball and both sides had chances.

"But they have been to Ibrox and won and they won the Edinburgh derby as well.

"The game against us was maybe an off-day. But if you go about your business correctly then you can make life difficult for them and give yourself a chance."