Championship leaders Hearts head for Dumbarton on Saturday and the Tynecastle men did not have to search far for knowledge - as U20 coach Jack Ross spent three years as assistant manager at the Bet Butler Stadium.
It is fair to say the 38-year-old will have passed on a glowing report, as his time there coincided with Dumbarton's best performances in three decades.
On his new role with Hearts, the former Clyde and St Mirren defender said: "It is a pretty full-on job with lots of different responsibilities. It has been thoroughly enjoyable and, of course, working at any club that is winning games is good.
"I knew Hearts was a big club before I came here but coming to work here has shown me that it is a bigger club than I actually realised. The supporters are great and they have been terrific in backing the players."
Ross' move was unexpected as he explained: "I have known Robbie Neilson and Stevie Crawford for a while and did my UEFA ‘A’ Licence with Robbie. We were never best friends or anything like that but he does know what I am like as a coach. He spent some time with Dumbarton last season, training with us before heading to East Fife.
"In terms of joining Hearts, things happened for me really quickly and the chance to join came out of the blue. I came through and had a chat with Craig Levein and it soon became apparent that it was a really exciting opportunity.
"I am in charge of the U20 side and help Robbie and Stevie with first-team coaching if I can. I am also involved in the Academy set-up, so the job has many different strands and that really appealed to me.
"I will go down with the first team to Dumbarton this weekend and help out where needed. I am looking forward to going back -it will bring back plenty of pleasant memories.
"I still speak to Ian Murray regularly and I was delighted for him and the club that they got their first league win before the international break when they beat Livingston.
"Dumbarton enjoyed a bit of success during my period there and it was a good time to be at the club. We were promoted then turned our season around to keep our place in the second tier before pushing for the play-offs in the last campaign.
“For part-time players their record was enviable but it was no surprise as they are a really talented group. Some of them will get the opportunity to become full-time players again, I am sure of that.
"They responded well to what Ian and I were trying to do. In a lot of games in the Championship last season you could not choose a winner beforehand so to finish fifth was fantastic. This weekend I will want Dumbarton to play well but not pick up any points!”
Craig Stewart
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