Hearts hungry for bigger prizes after four-goal frenzy
HEARTS 4
Grant (29), Oda (32), Devlin (40), Shankland (pen 45+6)
LIVINGSTON 2 Kelly (10, 22) Steven Naismith admits Hearts are still chasing bigger prizes despite securing European football with this comeback victory over Livingston.
The Jambos fought back from two down in an actionpacked first half to score four unanswered goals.
Stephen Kelly put the basement team in a commanding position with a brace inside 22 minutes before Jorge Grant, Yutaro Oda, Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland found the net before the break.
The win ensures Hearts will not finish any lower than fourth in the Premiership.
But, with guaranteed Europa Conference League group stage football on offer and Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers to look forward to, Naismith, whose team are 11 points clear in third, admits their work is far from complete.
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 big team news was the return of Craig Gordon for the first time in a league match since Christmas Eve 2022.
The vastly experienced shotstopper’s inclusion was with an eye on next weekend’s semifinal showdown.
But Gordon 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 Kelly swept a stunning shot into the box from 40 yards.
Kelly then buried a low drive past the Scotland cap 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.
Shankland came up with two assists in near-identical goals as Grant and Oda tapped in from close range.
Alex Cochrane then found Devlin at the near post for the third before Shankland fired in a penalty in first-half injury time after Shamal George tripped Oda.
There were no further goals in the second half and the only major talking point was
Livingston striker Tete Yengi being shown a second yellow card just seconds after being substituted for kicking a water bottle in frustration.
Naismith added: “We didn’t come out the changing room for the first 10-15 minutes!
“It was a poor start, really poor, really sloppy, and then brilliant. We lost two goals but it’s the third time we have come back.
“When the second goal goes in there’s a frustration from me and the fans.
“I knew when we were 2-0 down we’d come back into the game because we have shown it before.
“The element of having a ruthless streak and being more clinical is something we have talked about.
“And that part I am really happy with because our speed of attack, our bodies in the box, that’s what gets us back in the game.”
Naismith made a total of six changes to the team following last week’s success at St Mirren, with Barrie Mckay also starting in what has been an injuryravaged season.
Naismith added: “A couple of the boys hadn’t trained all week, so their training time wasn’t up to the level that I thought it was worth starting them.
“Barrie came in because he has got that quality and he showed that for the first goal by finding that pass for Shanks.”