McKay makes the difference as injury- hit St Mirren fall just short
A1 0
FRIDAY the 13th fixture always offers the potential for a horror show – thankfully for Hearts that was not the case. That’s not to say St Mirren didn’t give them a scare along the way.
second meeting between the two clubs in just six days left the bragging rights up for grabs with neither side able to snatch victory in Paisley.
But Hearts were a different side to that which struggled somewhat in Paisley as they largely controlled proceedings at Tynecastle.
It wasn’t all one- way traffic though, with Stephen Robinson’s makeshift line- up displaying the expected energy and commitment in the capital.
Hearts’ quality did shine through however, with Barrie McKay hitting a superb curling winner just before the half- hour mark to separate the sides and put the Edinburgh club a commanding six points clear of the pack chasing the third- place spot.
Stephen Humphrys should have put the match beyond any doubt in the final minutes when Garang Kuol slid the ball to him for a one- on- one with Trevor Carson, but he couldn’t even work the keeper as he screwed the ball wide.
Curtis Main was a handful for Hearts all evening as he went close on multiple occasions with Jonah Ayunga smashing the foot of the post too for the visitors who will feel dismayed to go home with nothing, but Hearts did enough to assert themselves and take a crucial three points.
1
Gorgie Rules
A somewhat sticky start to the Scottish Premiership threatened to derail Hearts’ quest to retain their spot as the thirdbest club in the country.
At Tynecastle, Robbie Neilson’s side showed exactly why they are a cut above the best of the rest in Scotland with a gritty one- nil on a night it could have been easy to drop points.
A moment of quality was enough for Hearts with McKay’s excellent finish taking the three points against a St Mirren side refusing to give up.
Results like this one on home soil are exactly the ones that earn European qualification – especially when Hearts were far from their frightening best.
2New faces impress
It was a bold call to hand Bournemouth loanee James Hill a start just days after arriving at Tynecastle. But the defender coped well in his first outing in Scottish football.
Confident in the challenge and assured on the ball, it appears Hearts have done some more excellent business in the loan market.
Kuol – signed from Newcastle until the end of the season – was also handed some minutes after signing just 24 hours before kick- off. On for the final 15 minutes, Kuol showed his electric pace and should have had an assist but Humphrys conspired to miss a simple one- on- one.
Across the dugout and Robinson gave Richard Taylor his first start. The central defender was colossal in the St Mirren defence even if he was nearly caught out on occasion.
3
Zander Clark proves his worth
There were obvious questions over how anyone could replace the impact and influence of Craig Gordon in the Hearts goal after his cruel season- ending injury.
Fortunately for Hearts, they could call on Zander Clark to step up and prove his worth after remaining patient on the sidelines.
Any concerns or question marks were more than answered by Clark as a sensational double save in the second period ensured the three points.
First diving to his left to expertly deny Ayunga, before somehow clearing Main’s follow- up effort with an outstretched leg.
It was a match- winning save and one which no doubt catapults Clark into Scotland contention with Gordon ruled out.
4
Barebones St Mirren
Ryan Strain, Ethan Erhahon, Marcus Fraser and Richard Tait. It was quite the injury list for Robinson to deal with at any ground – never mind on a daunting trip to Tynecastle.
Suspensions and injuries wreaked havoc to his team selection but his makeshift XI performed admirably in the circumstances as they fell just short.
A nasty- looking injury for Mark O’Hara was a costly expense in the defeat with the midfielder grimacing in pain after going down injured with just half- an- hour played.
5
Touching Tynecastle tribute
In the eighth minute there was a touching tribute observed all around the ground for young Hearts fan Rudi Abbott who tragically passed away last week.
The local lad, eight, had been diagnosed with pineoblastoma and had been receiving treatment for three years for the rare brain tumour.
A heartbreaking family update earlier this month announced brave Rudi had passed away – and Hearts fans planned a minute’s applause in tribute to the “wee warrior”.