3rd February 2018 Hearts v St Johnstone 1-0

Prior to the game I sent a message to my ex-boss and good friend Archie, a fanatical St Johnstone fan asking is he was going to Tynecastle today. He responded ' No, not had all my jabs'. A bit much given Hearts fans risk getting foot and mouth or rabies going to farming country in Perth. Left house after watching Burnley v Manchester City and walked down to Tynecastle arriving about 14.45.

Hearts had an attacking side out with two wingers Danny Amankwaa and David Milinkovic in the side. New signing Joaquim Adao also made his debut as midfield enforcer. I was looking forward to a good attacking performance from Hearts with a few goals but was sadly disappointed. 

Early on Christophe Berra was penalised for a push on Chris Kane, and David Wotherspoon’s curling shot from 25-yard was turned past the post by Jon McLaughlin. Shortly after McLaughlin rushed off his line after Kane had beaten the offside trap to made a smart block with his body at the edge of the box after the Saints striker tried to prod the ball past him. St Johnstone then had their best chance of the half. when Connor Randall failed to clear a cross into the box and Scott Tanser reacted quickest to fire an effort on target that was well pushed by McLaughlin, with Kane hitting the side netting from the rebound. St Johnstone were denied by the woodwork after thirty minutes. Matthew Willock’s cross to the edge of the box found Kane, who hit a first-time volley, only to see the ball fly over McLaughin and come crashing back off the bar. Adao’s 36th minute ball forward found the chest of Kyle Lafferty, who sprang the offside trap to advance inside the Saints box and pull the trigger but he was denied by Mannus’ save

The half time guest was former Hearts favourite, Drew Busby. After he drew the raffle I had a chat with the guy in the seat next to me, Eric, and we exchanged reminisences about watching Drew playing for Hearts. He may not have been the most skilful of players but he gave 100% every game. However I think in todays football he would spend most of the time in the stands under suspension for his powerful tackling.

A minute into the second half Hearts took the lead. Demetri Mitchell did well to keep the ball in play with a dink forward to Amankwaa, who planted a ball into the box for Lafferty to flick on to Milinkovic and he managed to hold off his man before slamming past Mannus from close range. St Johnstone were reduced to ten men after 62 minutes. Wotherspoon picked up his second booking after a lunge on Adao, leaving the visitors with an uphill battle to get back on level terms. McLaughlin produced a stunning save at his near post to deny substitute Blair Alston seven minutes later. A Naismith tackle on the edge of the box popped up the ball nicely for the Saints man to thunder an effort on target, but the Hearts No.1 flung himself across his goal to push the ball around the post. Despite having a man advantage Hearts were not making chances although they nearly scored a second goal with three minutes remaining. Milinkovic was released down the left to cut back for Lafferty on the edge of the six-yard box but his first-time shot missed the target by inches.

All in all it was a poor game from a Hears viewpoint with keeper McLaughlin the star man. Milinkovic was the best outfield player but several players did not make any meaningful contribution to the side. Randall, who had been playing well for the last few games, was particularly ineffectual and was hooked at half time. His replacement, Micael Smith, had a steady game but nearly sold the points with a horrendous backpass which allowed St Johnstone a chance. Thankfully Michael recovered to save Hearts by conceding a corner but this summed up Hearts poor showing. Walked home happy with three points but unhappy with the overall performance.

Teams

Hearts: McLaughlin, Souttar, Berra, Amankwaa, Lafferty, Djoum, Milinkovic, Naismith, Randall, Mitchell, Adao. 

Subs: Smith, Bauben, McDonald

St Johnstone: Mannus, Tanser, Shaughnessy, Anderson, Davidson, Wotherspoon, Kerr, Johnstone, Foster, Kane, Willock.

Subs: Alston, Craig, MacLean