Hearts loving life back in top flight as Saints see red
THE last time these two teams met in the Premiership, Scottish football was about to break into civil war. Fast forward 17 months and it’s safe to say things are looking a bit brighter for Hearts now.
St Mirren’s 1-0 victory on March 11 last year left the men from Tynecastle four points adrift at the foot of the table. It proved to be the final match of the 2019-20 season before Covid-19 brought everything to a shuddering halt.
The hurt of Hearts’ eventual relegation to the Championship remains even now as they enjoy their return to the top tier. And, so far in these very early stages, there’s lots to smile about.
Following the euphoria of their opening-day victory against Celtic, Robbie Neilson’s men triumphed again with this feisty win at St Mirren — their first in Paisley for 11 years.
Goals in each half from Andy Halliday and Liam Boyce put the visitors in control before the Buddies were given hope by captain Joe Shaughnessy’s late header.
But — in a moment of utter madness — Saints substitute Kristian Dennis was sent off from the restart for elbowing Peter Haring.
As pleasing as another win was for Neilson, whose side have won six out of six including their Premier Sports Cup fixtures, he was angry at challenges on Gary Mackay-Steven.
The winger was caught in the first minute by Greg Kiltie and later by Charles Dunne, with the latter tackle causing Neilson to be so upset that he was booked by referee Gavin Duncan.
‘I wasn’t happy with the tackle in the first minute and the fourth official was just a couple of yards away,’ said the Hearts boss.
‘I don’t like to see my flair players getting smashed and that’s what happened. It was a similar situation when he got injured in the second half and I was shown a yellow card.
‘I know this is Scottish football, but the only way to stop Gary Mackay-Steven can’t be to smash him.
‘I don’t want to say too much but if that is the way the referee wants to ref the match, then so be it.’
Hearts travel to Celtic in the League Cup next weekend. ‘I’ve been pleased with the start to the season but I keep emphasising to the players that it’s only a start,’ added Neilson.
‘We’ve had a really good League Cup campaign which allows us to go to Celtic Park next Sunday. We’ve now had two good results in the league and I said to the boys before the game that we haven’t won here since 2010.
‘That shows it’s a very difficult place to come to and get the three points. I’m delighted we managed to do that.’
The visitors took the lead after 16 minutes and it was a terrific goal. Boyce laid the ball back from the left to Halliday, whose first-time curling effort found the far corner.
St Mirren looked as if they were clinging on before they gradually settled into the match. Curtis Main met Jamie McGrath’s cross and his header struck the bar — but he was penalised for a foul.
Eamonn Brophy quickly turned and fired a shot from inside the box a minute after the restart but Craig Gordon held the St Mirren striker’s firm effort.
Three minutes later, Brophy was at it again, although this time he was further out. The ball arrived at him, he spun and shot but it was straight at Gordon.
Mackay-Steven was in the wars once more midway through the second half after a challenge from Dunne just outside St Mirren’s box. Neilson was fuming again — and this time talked his way into trouble. After fourth official Euan Anderson had signalled to Duncan from the sidelines, the referee showed the Hearts boss a yellow card.
For all St Mirren’s improvement after the break, they switched off and allowed Boyce to pounce with 17 minutes remaining. The Northern Irishman drilled a low shot from 20 yards into the bottom-left corner — although goalkeeper Jak Alnwick’s failure to keep it out was questionable.
‘I’m not going to be too critical of Jak Alnwick because he’s been one of our best players,’ admitted Saints boss Jim Goodwin. ‘He was up there for player of the season last term, but nine times out of 10, Jak would save that.’
Hearts substitute Aaron McEneff almost added a spectacular third goal from 30 yards but his brilliant effort clipped the outside of the post.
Saints pulled one back with five minutes remaining when Shaughnessy headed home from close range.
But immediately from the kick-off, Dennis caught Haring with a flailing elbow as he chased the ball. Goodwin didn’t even look at him as he walked off.
‘We had to throw everything at it,’ added the Saints boss. ‘If we keep 11 men on the pitch, there’s no doubt we give ourselves a better chance.
‘But Kristian has seen a bit of red mist and it looks as if he’s caught Haring on the side of the head. Kristian is not a nasty player. It’s just one of those things.’