Hearts battle back to tame Lions but have bigger fish to fry
Hearts 4 Grant 29, Oda 32, Devlin 40, Shankland 45 (pen) Livingston 2 Stehphen Kelly 10, 22.
IT IS a sign of how high Hearts have set the bar this season that they are reluctant to pat themselves on the back even after guaranteeing European football for next season with this comeback victory over Livingston.
The Gorgie men have bigger fish to fry. They want guaranteed group-stage football and the £5million bounty that comes with it. A place in the Scottish Cup final is also up for grabs when they lock horns with Rangers at Hampden next week.
After fighting back from two goals down to win 4-2 in a game that saw all the goals arrive in an eventful first half, Hearts can now finish no lower than fourth place.
By overcoming the Lions, they remain 11 points clear in third ahead of Kilmarnock going into the post-split matches.
But manager Steven Naismith is still set on taking things one game at a time. He said: ‘It’s pleasing but our aim is confirmed
European football from finishing third, and there are still some hurdles to get over.
‘We are pleased because we won the game, got the points and it cuts out another game in our bid for third. We are in a good position for that and we have got to drive for that.
‘The win today also gives us a good couple of games going into the semi-final.’
The big team news was the return of Craig Gordon for the first time in a league match since Christmas Eve 2022. The shotstopper’s inclusion was with an eye on next weekend’s semi-final showdown with Rangers.
Naismith added: ‘He’s been playing in the cup and I thought it was a good opportunity to get him a game before the semi-final. That was the decision.’
Gordon, however, was partly at fault for the opener in the 10th minute. The goalkeeper took a heavy touch outside his box as he intercepted a long kick out and Stephen Kelly swept a stunning shot into the box from 40 yards. Kelly then buried a low drive past the Scotland international from 18 yards in the 22nd minute as the Lions seized control.
But that strike stirred Hearts into action and they went on a four-goal scoring spree before the break.
Lawrence Shankland came up with two assists in near-identical goals as Jorge Grant and Yutaro Oda tapped in from close range.
Alex Cochrane then found Cammy Devlin at the near post for the third before Shankland fired in a penalty after Shamal George tripped Oda.
There were no further goals in the second half and the only major talking point was when Livingston striker Tete Yengi received a second yellow card just seconds after being substituted for kicking a water bottle in frustration.
Livingston manager Davie Martindale, whose team remain nine points adrift at the basement, said: ‘I think what you saw there in the first half was the story of our season.
‘We started the game really well and should have scored a third when Tete was clean through against Craig Gordon.
‘The good and bad of Livingston. You saw it all in 45 minutes.’
HEARTS (4-2-3-1): Gordon; Atkinson, Kent, Rowles, Cochrane (Kingsley 60); Devlin (Forrest 66), Baningime; Oda (Fraser 66), Grant (Tagawa 74), McKay (Vargas 60); Shankland. Subs (not used): Clark, Denholm, Tait, Lembikisa. Booked: Cochrane.
LIVINGSTON (4-1-4-1): George; Nottingham, Devlin, Obileye, Kelly; Brandon (Carson 78); Pittman, Holt (Sangare 71), Kelly, McKay; Yengi (Anderson 57). Subs
(not used): Hamilton, Bradley. Booked: Yengi. Sent off: Yengi. Referee: Colin Steven. Attendance: 18,491.