The Tangerines are 22 points behind Jim Jefferies' side, albeit with four games in hand, as they look to finish in behind the Old Firm for the second successive season.
Having nine matches called off throughout the campaign has not allowed Houston's players to get into their stride, but if they can beat Hearts at Tynecastle it will reinvigorate their European challenge.
Houston said: "Hearts have a big lead and it is going to be very difficult to catch them. But our ambition is to still finish third and we won't give up on that until it's beyond us.
"We still have to play them a few times so who knows what can happen, but at the moment all we're looking towards is Saturday. Going to Tynecastle is difficult at any time but this season with the form they are in it's going to be doubly tricky."
Source: PA
Source: PA