Hearts came out on top in an entertaining clash against bottom side St Johnstone and had Elton Kabangu’s double to thank.
St Johnstone were slightly more threatening early on but it was visiting midfielder Jorge Grant who forced Andy Fisher into a diving save from James Wilson’s pull back half an hour in. Hearts were in the mood now and Kabangu fizzed a low left foot drive just wide.
But the same player found the net minutes later, bundling Lawrence Shankland’s low cross over the net and surviving a VAR check for offside.
The Jambos were in control and Blair Spittal forced another save from Fisher but the home side came out fighting after the break. Adama Sidibeh equalised with a goal similar to Kabangu’s after being supplied by Graham Carey.
Craig Gordon then produced a brilliant save from Sam Curtis before Hearts broke up the pitch to go in front again, Shankland playing in Kabangu for his second and seventh in seven games for the club.
The Perth men thought they had equalised with a brilliant Drey Wright header that had Gordon beaten all ends up, but the winger was offside.
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Kabangu proves it was just a blip
As Hearts passed up chance after chance and the opportunity for three points against Rangers last weekend, Elton Kabangu was the most guilty.
The Belgian striker had a lethal start to life in maroon but couldn’t find a way past Jack Butland at Tynecastle.
Time after time, he went through one-on-one with the Gers keeper, or had decent shooting opportunities, only to be thwarted or fluff his lines.
Today, he proved it was just a blip.
His first wasn’t the prettiest of finishes but the second was the sort of finish he’s been producing since arriving on these shores, firing it across Fisher and giving him no chance.
Worrying times for St Johnstone
Ordinarily, this performance wouldn’t be seen as a disaster.
They played some decent stuff, caused Hearts problems and on another day could have had a result.
But it’s another defeat that leaves them adrift at the bottom of the Premiership.
Ten points to make up to get out of the bottom two is looking too much and the play-offs is the best they can hope for. Even that will be a struggle.
Gordon shows Hearts importance again
Craig Gordon has had some areas of his game questioned this season and he’s probably not the goalie he once was at 42.
But the Scotland keeper is still one of the best shotstoppers in the league and underlined his importance to Hearts with a ridiculous save to keep it level just before his team stormed up the pitch to go ahead, when they could have been falling behind.