Scottish Premiership: Hearts Secure 2-1 Victory Over St. Johnstone
That’s a Wrappublished at 17:34 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December
FT: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
In a fiercely contested encounter at Tynecastle, Hearts emerged triumphant against St Johnstone, a victory that ensures the latter will find themselves languishing at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership this Christmas.
Don’t forget to tune into Sportscene tonight at 19:15 on BBC Scotland for the highlights from this captivating clash, as well as a recap of the earlier matchup between Dundee United and Celtic.
And now, it’s time to indulge in a mince pie or three…
Image source, SNS
Spittal netted the decisive goal with a superb strike
‘Full deserved three points’ – Critchleypublished at 17:30 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December
FT: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Hearts head coach Neil Critchley asserts to BBC Scotland: “I thought we were excellent.
“The players displayed remarkable character, particularly after a disappointing week. This performance was crucial; we knew we had to rise to the occasion. Our younger players shone brilliantly, and we played some exceptional football.
“I was particularly impressed with our mindset throughout the match. In the first half, we should have led by more than just a goal.
“Adversity can test you, but our strength of character and resilience prevailed, culminating in a fantastic second goal by Spittal.
“Although fatigue understandably set in, it’s important to remember that despite their possession, most of it was in front of us. I genuinely believe Craig [Gordon] didn’t have a save to make throughout the game. Therefore, these three points were well deserved.”
Image source, SNS‘It’s a Reset Moment’ – Valakari on Table Positionpublished at 17:26 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December
FT: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
St Johnstone head coach Simo Valakari shared his thoughts after the defeat, telling BBC Scotland: “It was a tough 90 minutes for us filled with ups and downs.
“We didn’t get off to the best start today, but our opponents executed their game plan effectively and applied immense pressure.
“We were caught napping for a substantial part of the first half, though we were lucky to go into halftime trailing by just one goal. The second half saw us come out strong.
“What hurts the most is letting them get ahead after we equalized, not being able to sustain the level we needed to remain competitive. We allowed their second goal to arrive too quickly.
“However, I commend my players for their determination and effort.”
“This is a reset moment for us; there’s no team below us now, so our only way is up.”
Image source, SNSSimo Valakari’s side struggled to find a way back into the match after leveling.
Forrester the Energizerpublished at 17:19 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December
FT: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Image source, SNSPenrice Proves Crucial in Hearts’ Victorypublished at 17:11 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December
FT: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
James Penrice was instrumental in Hearts’ success today, opening the scoring with a magnificent header and contributing significantly throughout the match. The tactical brilliance of Hearts is highlighted by the fact they ventured down the left flank 45% of the time, showcasing Penrice’s vital role in their attacking play.
Both of Hearts’ full-backs, Penrice and Adam Forrester, notched up 17 passes into the final third each, a figure that placed them just two behind team leader Lawrence Shankland. Remarkably, their playmaking contributed more than St Johnstone’s leading figure, Drey Wright, who managed only 16.
Their contributions were undeniably pivotal in securing this vital win for Hearts.
Image source, SNSPost-Match Insights to Followpublished at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December
FT: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Stay tuned as we bring you more reactions and post-match analyses from the managers involved. However, if they manage to escape on the Lothian bus they were hailing earlier, we may have to wait a little longer!
Image source, SNSNeil Critchley will be pleased to have secured three crucial points, propelling his side off the bottom of the table.
Image source, SNSFor Simo Valakari, today marks yet another harsh lesson as his side fails to find a way back into the match.
How the Table Standspublished at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December
FT: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Image source, SNS‘Hearts Show Improved Offensive Play’published at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December
FT: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Allan Preston
Former Hearts Defender on BBC Sportsound
Hearts displayed a marked improvement; defensively sound, they proved a constant threat going forward, creating opportunities aplenty.
Cammy Devlin, in particular, was exceptional in midfield, enhancing Hearts’ resilience and energy.
While it’s not the Christmas positioning Hearts envisioned, it’s undoubtedly an upgrade from where they started this afternoon.
A well-deserved victory sets them up beautifully for the looming derby against Hibernian on Boxing Day.
FINAL WHISTLE: Hearts 2-1 St Johnstonepublished at 16:53 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December
What a crucial win for Hearts. A dominant display should have seen them ahead by a greater margin than just 1-0 through James Penrice’s header at the break, yet they conceded a penalty in the second half allowing St Johnstone to equalize.
Nonetheless, Blair Spittal’s wonderful volley restored Hearts’ lead and solidified their performance. St Johnstone now celebrates the holiday season at the bottom of the table, while Hearts leapfrog them, and Ross County, into a more comfortable 10th place.
Image source, SNSPostpublished at 90+4 mins
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Hearts have made a late substitution, with Liam Boyce coming on for Lawrence Shankland in these dying moments.
Postpublished at 90+2 mins
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Hearts are continuing to press hard as the clock winds down.
Forrester tries to weave around the box, but his attempt to set up a teammate is thwarted.
As the adage goes, the best form of defense is always an attack…
Postpublished at 89 mins
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Kenneth Vargas breaks forward, cutting in from the right channel to unleash a left-footed strike destined for the far corner. However, St Johnstone’s Josh Rae is quick to respond, making a brilliant diving save followed by another splendid denial from Alan Forrest’s follow-up attempt.
Postpublished at 88 mins
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
A late free-kick awarded to St Johnstone is expertly executed, nodded on twice in the box before Makenzie Kirk’s powerful shot finds nothing but Craig Gordon’s arms.
Postpublished at 86 mins
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Meanwhile, Matt Smith’s well-angled cross nearly finds Makenzie Kirk in the box, narrowly eluding him before sailing out of play.
Craig Gordon, indecisive, was almost caught out but is relieved it didn’t fall back into the action.
Postpublished at 83 mins
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Substitutions are underway for the visitors, with Jason Holt and Aaron Essel making way for Matt Smith and David Keltjens as they seek a late equalizer.
Postpublished at 82 mins
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
A promising opportunity for Hearts develops as Adam Forrester makes a tactical pass into the box for Lawrence Shankland, who opts to return the ball back to the full-back, rather than taking the shot himself.
Forrester’s curling effort, though high, is ultimately unsuccessful and flows over the crossbar.
Postpublished at 80 mins
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Neil Critchley has made another change, bringing Kenneth Vargas on, while the influential Spittal makes way.
Postpublished at 76 mins
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
An incisive move sees James Penrice fool the defense, as he runs over the ball, leaving Blair Spittal to take aim. Unfortunately, his shot skims the wrong side of the side netting.
Postpublished at 75 mins
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Hearts are awarded a promising free-kick situated just outside St Johnstone’s area, creating a scenario filled with anticipation. Will it be Spittal? Perhaps Penrice?
Who will take this opportunity…?
Hearts Celebrate the Game-Winnerpublished at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 22 December
Hearts 2-1 St Johnstone
Blair Spittal celebrates exuberantly with his teammates after netting to make it 2-1.
Can they maintain this lead until the final whistle?
Image source, SNSBlair Spittal celebrates with teammates after scoring the decisive goal
The hosts turned up to deliver a statement.
Hearts stormed out of the traps today, as they dominated early proceedings and took the lead through an emphatic header from James Penrice after a precise cross from the ever-influential Adam Forrester.
Despite a spirited response from
