Devlin, a key figure in the Edinburgh side's midfield this season who could also be at the heart of Australia's engine room at the World Cup, was welcomed back to Tynecastle on Saturday after being out for more than two months with an ankle injury.
The 27-year-old's return as well as the comeback of their talismanic captain and goalscorer Lawrence Shankland following his own long injury lay-off helped inspire Hearts to a crucial 1-0 win over Dundee.
And there proved even better news for Hearts 24 hours later on Sunday as champions Celtic, who had been seeking to reduce the Jambos' lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to just two points, slipped up 2-0 at Dundee United.
That's left Hearts three points clear of Rangers and five ahead of Celtic as they seek to become the first team to break the Glasgow 'Old Firm' title duopoly since 1985 when Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen lifted the title.
With just seven fixtures remaining, the return of Devlin and Shankland has left Hearts boss Derek McInnes believing they can achieve a feat that many involved in Scottish football feared had been consigned to ancient history.
"I've got my captain back now for another couple of weeks training, I've got Cammy Devlin back ... we will get stronger, and we're going to need that strength," said McInnes, who'd seen Hearts' lead dwindle in their absence.
"We've been tested of late but despite all that, we're going to be top of the league in April."
Devlin reckoned he was "really happy to be back", especially as he has a twin dream of not just competing in a second World Cup but also in achieving his childhood dream of playing in the Champions League, should Hearts win the title or finish as runners-up.
Before Saturday's match, he had admitted that qualification for European soccer's biggest club event could play a role in his future, as he's out of contract at the end of the season.
"I think growing up as an Aussie from the other side of the world, the Champions League is something you would wake up at four or five in the morning to watch on the telly," he said.
"So I think that's a massive, massive carrot, that would be a dream come true. But in terms of right now, my focus is on just getting back fit, playing for Hearts, seeing what we can do."
