Hearts supporters witnessed another night of drama at Tynecastle Park as their side shrugged off adversity, overcoming a first-half red card to defeat St Mirren 2-0 and maintain their six-point cushion atop the Scottish Premiership. For the second time in just four days, Hearts found themselves a man down early but managed to dig deep and deliver a statement win that sent their fans into raptures and left their opponents mired in relegation worries.
It all started with a moment that could have derailed Hearts’ title charge. Just 15 minutes into the match, Beni Baningime lunged in with a straight-legged challenge on St Mirren’s Roland Idowu. Referee Kevin Clancy initially produced a yellow card, but after a swift VAR review, the color was upgraded to red—a decision no one could argue with given the replays. Baningime, who’s been a rock in the Hearts midfield, caught Idowu high on the shin, and the dismissal left the home side facing 75 minutes with just ten men. As the crowd roared, the sense of siege at Tynecastle was palpable, reminiscent of a classic European night under the floodlights.
St Mirren, desperate for points to escape the lower reaches of the table, looked to capitalize on their numerical advantage. The Buddies thought they’d broken the deadlock not once, but twice in the first half. First, Roland Idowu cut inside and curled a shot past Craig Gordon, only for the assistant referee’s flag to go up for offside. Moments later, a long ball from Richard King found Killian Phillips, whose surging run split the Hearts defense. Alex Gogic’s mishit shot fell kindly for Idowu again, and after Gordon’s save, Harry Milne bundled the ball into his own net—only for the goal to be ruled out for offside once more. That’s now ten disallowed goals in sixteen games for Stephen Robinson’s men, a stat that’s become a source of deep frustration for the Paisley faithful.
Despite their disadvantage, Hearts refused to sit back. Manager Derek McInnes was bold, shifting to a 4-2-3 formation to retain attacking intent. Blair Spittal anchored the midfield, providing a calming presence and allowing the likes of Alexandros Kyziridis and Claudio Braga to exploit the wide areas. Kyziridis, in particular, looked electric, his pace and trickery causing endless problems for the St Mirren defense. The only thing missing for the Greek forward was a goal, with St Mirren goalkeeper Shamal George pulling off a superb save just before the break to deny him.
As the second half kicked off, the home crowd sensed something special brewing. St Mirren, for all their possession, struggled to create clear chances. Oisin Smyth, returning from injury, looked off the pace, and the visitors failed to make their man advantage count in midfield. Robinson, seeking to inject fresh energy, introduced Malik Dijksteel and Dan Nlundulu, reverting to a 4-3-3 in an attempt to turn the screw. But it was Hearts who struck first.
On the hour mark, Blair Spittal played a slick one-two with Kyziridis before picking out captain Lawrence Shankland in the box. Shankland, ice-cool as ever, took his chance with a first-time finish low into the corner—his 14th goal of the season. The eruption from the stands said it all. "Hearts controlled the majority of the game despite their man disadvantage, with Blair Spittal in particular being a stalwart in the middle of the park," reported one observer, capturing the mood perfectly.
St Mirren’s response was muted. The visitors seemed happier to sit back and try to hit on the counter, but Hearts’ discipline and organization left little joy for the Buddies’ forwards. The home side’s fullbacks, especially Harry Milne, pushed forward with purpose, giving Kyziridis and Braga the freedom to roam and stretch the play.
Hearts’ second goal arrived with just under 20 minutes to play and put the result beyond doubt. Substitute Pierre Landry Kabore showed great determination to win the ball high up the pitch before feeding Tomas Magnusson. Magnusson slipped Milne through one-on-one with Shamal George, but the keeper managed to parry the initial shot. Unfazed, Magnusson followed up and nodded home the rebound to settle the nerves of the Tynecastle faithful.
With the win, Hearts not only maintained their six-point lead at the summit but also sent a clear message to their title rivals. This was their second consecutive victory with ten men, having edged Dundee away just four days earlier after goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow’s first-half red card. The resilience and unity shown by McInnes’ side have become the talk of the league, with fans and pundits alike marveling at their ability to thrive under pressure.
St Mirren, on the other hand, are in the midst of a crisis. This was their fourth straight defeat and leaves them in 10th place, four points adrift of Dundee. Injuries have ravaged Robinson’s squad, and with only two wins in their last fifteen matches, the threat of relegation is growing ever more real. January reinforcements are desperately needed if the Buddies are to climb away from danger. "January reinforcements will be needed for the Paisley side to avoid a relegation scrap," noted a post-match analysis, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
For Hearts, there’s little time to rest on their laurels. Baningime’s suspension will see him miss crucial upcoming fixtures against Celtic and Dundee United, a blow for a team already stretched by recent red cards. Yet, if the last two matches are anything to go by, McInnes’ men have the grit and determination to weather any storm. Their ability to adapt tactically—switching formations, maintaining attacking threat, and showing defensive steel—has been a revelation this season.
As Tynecastle emptied and the floodlights dimmed, the mood was one of pride and anticipation. Hearts’ supporters know that title races are won not just with flair, but with fight, and their team gave them both in abundance. For St Mirren, it’s back to the drawing board, with the hope that a change in fortune—and perhaps a few new faces—can spark a revival before it’s too late.
With the Scottish Premiership entering a critical phase, all eyes will be on how both clubs respond. Hearts, buoyed by their remarkable resilience, look set to continue their charge. St Mirren, meanwhile, must regroup quickly if they’re to avoid being pulled further into the relegation mire. The drama, it seems, is far from over.
