Hearts made sure they would head into the Christmas period with a vital three points as they defeated St Johnstone 2-1 at Tynecastle. This much-needed victory lifted Hearts above their opponents, moving them into 10th place in the Scottish Premiership, while St Johnstone were left at the foot of the table as a result of the defeat. Despite some nervous moments, Hearts showed resilience and clinical finishing to ensure that they moved away from the relegation zone.
This match was crucial for Hearts, not only because of the points at stake but also as a response to their disappointing midweek exit from the Conference League. Head coach Neil Critchley will have been relieved to see his side secure a win in front of their home fans, which was especially important as they gear up for their Boxing Day derby against Hibernian.
Strong Start from Hearts Dominates the First Half
From the first whistle, it was clear that Hearts were determined to assert their dominance on the game. They started the match strongly, and it wasn’t long before they were rewarded for their efforts. In the 14th minute, Hearts took the lead through James Penrice, who found the back of the net with a header from Adam Forrester’s looping cross. The left-back’s first goal for the club came on his 26th birthday, a perfect way to mark the occasion. Penrice was a standout performer throughout the match, his energy and tenacity setting the tone for Hearts.
Forrester, playing on the opposite flank, was also key to Hearts‘ early success. His delivery created numerous chances, including the assist for Penrice’s goal. Forrester’s energetic play, both defensively and going forward, made him one of the standout players of the match. His tireless runs and contributions to the final third were crucial to Hearts’ attacking rhythm, helping to keep St Johnstone under pressure throughout the first half.
The home side continued to push forward, looking for a second goal. They had a series of chances, with Lawrence Shankland testing St Johnstone’s goalkeeper Josh Rae on several occasions. A dangerous delivery from Forrester almost resulted in a Jack Sanders own goal, but Rae made an incredible save to deny Hearts from doubling their advantage.
St Johnstone Find Their Footing After Break
After a slow start, St Johnstone began to grow into the game after the interval. In the 47th minute, they were handed a lifeline when the ball struck the elbow of Penrice in the penalty area. Referee Kevin Clancy pointed to the spot, and Graham Carey stepped up to take the penalty. Hearts‘ goalkeeper Craig Gordon guessed correctly but could not prevent Carey’s spot-kick from finding the bottom corner of the net. The equalizer came against the run of play and gave St Johnstone a glimmer of hope.
However, Hearts responded almost immediately, restoring their lead just minutes after the equalizer. Blair Spittal, who had been involved in several key moments for Hearts, fired home a smart volley from the edge of the box to give his side a 2-1 lead. Rae, who had made a number of excellent saves earlier in the match, was slow to react to the volley, which came through a crowd of players. Spittal’s goal proved to be the decisive moment of the match, and Hearts were back in control.
Despite St Johnstone’s improved play after the break, Hearts looked the more dangerous side. They continued to create chances, with Spittal going close to a second goal when his free-kick crashed into the side-netting. Rae was forced into several excellent saves, denying Kenneth Vargas and Alan Forrest from adding to Hearts’ lead. Hearts would be frustrated that they didn’t win by a larger margin, but they were able to hold on for the three points.
Hearts‘ Resilience and Defensive Strength
Although Hearts had several opportunities to put the game to bed earlier, they ultimately showed resilience and held on for a deserved victory. Craig Gordon, while rarely tested, remained calm and collected when called upon, and his experience helped to calm any nerves in the defensive unit. The Hearts defense, led by the ever-dependable Stephen Kingsley, ensured that St Johnstone did not threaten seriously after the second goal.
Penrice’s earlier error, which led to the penalty, was quickly forgotten as his tireless running and defensive work played a crucial role in securing the victory. Alongside him, Forrester was also solid at the back, providing a vital clearance off the line to prevent St Johnstone from equalizing once more. Hearts’ full-backs were crucial in both attacking and defensive phases, providing width and preventing any counter-attacks from the visitors.
In midfield, Cammy Devlin was once again a key figure for Hearts. His hard work and energy allowed the team to regain possession quickly and dictate the tempo of the game. Devlin’s contributions in the middle of the park were often unsung but were vital to the overall performance.
St Johnstone’s Struggles and Tactical Changes
St Johnstone, on the other hand, found themselves lacking throughout the match. They were far too open in the early stages, and Hearts’ pace and energy exploited those weaknesses. Manager Simo Valakari was forced to make a tactical change, switching to a diamond formation after 25 minutes, which helped to stem the tide of Hearts’ attacks. However, it wasn’t enough to prevent a second goal from coming, and the visitors could not find a way back into the match.
Adama Sidibeh showed flashes of danger with his pace, but his decision-making let him down when he had opportunities to create chances. Makenzie Kirk, one of the brighter young prospects for St Johnstone, struggled to make an impact on the game, with the ball rarely finding its way to him. Despite a few decent performances, St Johnstone were unable to cope with the speed and intensity of Hearts‘ play.
Hearts Look to Build on Victory
This victory was crucial for Hearts, as they now find themselves above St Johnstone and Ross County in the Scottish Premiership standings. With a Boxing Day derby against Hibernian looming, Hearts will need to maintain their momentum and look to build on this performance. Neil Critchley will be pleased with the resilience shown by his side and will be hoping for more of the same in the coming weeks.
The win also provided a boost after Hearts‘ disappointing exit from the Conference League, giving the players and coaching staff a much-needed confidence boost. The focus will now shift to maintaining their place in the league and ensuring that they avoid relegation.
What They Said
Hearts head coach Neil Critchley praised his team’s resilience after the win: “I was really impressed with our temperament and how we approached the game. In the first half, I think we should have been more than a goal up.” He continued, “Some decisions go against you and you think, ‘here we go again,’ but we showed real strength of character and resilience and got a fantastic second goal.”
St Johnstone’s head coach Simo Valakari acknowledged his team’s lack of intensity: “We were one yard short everywhere but managed to get to half-time only one down and came out very strong at the start of the second half.” However, he also rued his side’s inability to hold onto the equalizer, adding, “What hurts me most is we could not hold the 1-1 for a longer time to stay in the match. We let their second goal come too early.”
A Vital Victory for Hearts
Hearts’ 2-1 victory over St Johnstone was a much-needed three points that pushed them away from the relegation zone. Despite a few nervous moments, Hearts were deserved winners, showing resilience and clinical finishing when it mattered most. As they head into the Christmas period, this victory gives them the confidence to push forward, with a tough derby against Hibernian on the horizon. For St Johnstone, the defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table, and they will need to show improvement quickly if they are to climb out of the relegation zone.
