Hearts star Sean Clare has heaped praise on the team’s defence, after a stunning 3-1 win over rivals Hibs at Easter Road.
The Jambos turned the form book on its head and blew the hosts away with a brilliant performance in Leith, especially in the second-half.
Goals came from Clare from the penalty spot and Oliver Bozanic from distance and Conor Washington wrapped things up with a cool finish on 80 minutes.
Clare opened the scoring at Easter Road (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
There was time for a late goal from Melker Hallberg but that was a mere consolation for the hosts, who slipped to defeat for the first time in six matches in all competitions.
The result is huge for Hearts, who have now leapfrogged Hamilton in the Premiership table – the Accies face Rangers at Ibrox tonight and have to try and respond.
Hearts are sure to be just fine come the end of the season if they can turn in performances like this regularly.
Clevid Dikamona was solid replacing the injured John Souttar (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Key to their survival hopes will be a strong defence, which is exactly what was on show at Easter Road, and it is was something that wasn’t lost on first goalscorer Clare.
He told the club’s official website: “We were outstanding defensively and that’s the platform for us to move forward.
“With the quality of players we have we will always score, so we have to be like that defensively and we’ll win games.
Stendel’s men will take real confidence from the result (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“The first goal for us is definitely so vital. As I say, we’re getting better defensively and now I know we’ll create and score.
“If we can go and win games 1-0, then we’re more than happy with that.”
Hearts to kick on?
Such a result and performance has the potential to be the turning point now for Hearts.
Of course, Hamilton could cause an upset against Rangers and the Jambos would go bottom again, but the past couple of games have given supporters real reason to believe the club won’t be in any trouble at the end of the season.
So far, the Jambos have the joint-second worst defensive record in the division but if they can be as solid as they were against the Gers and Hibs, Daniel Stendel’s team will give themselves a fighting chance.