Super Shankland Extends Hearts Run
Lawrence Shankland was the hero once again as Heart of Midlothian made it ten games without defeat in all competitions with victory against St Johnstone.
The Macklin Motors-backed side had won every game to date in 2024 and made the trip to Perth on the back of a comeback victory against Dundee at Dens Park in the previous match.
Both sides created chances in the game but the key moment would come ten minutes into the second half when a long-ball forward from Frankie Kent fell at Shankland’s feet and he turned his man on the edge of the box before sliding the ball past Dimitar Mitov into the net.
That marked a 22nd goal of the season – and 50th for the club – for Hearts talismanic forward as he continued to be the form player in the Scottish Premiership.
Hearts thought they had a chance to go two clear when Kenneth Vargas was felled in the box, but he had already been flagged for offside before being wiped by defended Ryan McGowan out as he looked to shoot.
St Johnstone had a penalty call of their own late on when a shot from Adama Sidibeh appeared to strike the arm of Alex Cochrane but the shouts were turned down as Hearts picked up another three points.
That means the Edinburgh side remain twelve points clear of Kilmarnock in third spot in the table, and are ten points behind the top two.
Hearts now travel to Airdrieonians this weekend in the Scottish Cup fifth round.