Heart of Midlothian lifted themselves off the foot of the William Hill Premiership table with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over St Johnstone at Tynecastle on December 22, 2024. The match was marked by passionate moments on the pitch and significant unrest among the fans off it, particularly among the Gorgie Ultras, who chose to boycott the game.
The afternoon kicked off with optimism for Hearts as they sought to escape the dreaded bottom spot. James Penrice, celebrating his 26th birthday, opened the scoring for the hosts with a powerful header from Adam Forrester's delivery just 15 minutes in. Penrice's effort injected some much-needed hope for Hearts, who have struggled recently. Yet, midway through the second half, after being penalized for handling the ball, Penrice witnessed Graham Carey equalize from the penalty spot, leveling the match at 1-1 and putting the pressure back on the home side.
Just as the momentum seemed to swing back to St Johnstone, Blair Spittal struck decisively, volleying past the visiting goalkeeper Josh Rae shortly after the equalizer, restoring Hearts’ lead at 2-1. Spittal's stunning effort delighted the fans who braved the boycott, and from then on, Hearts worked diligently to maintain their advantage against a determined St Johnstone side.
The match was more than just three points for Hearts; it represented hope for the fans and players alike after last Thursday's disheartening exit from the UEFA Conference League, where they failed to progress from the group stages following a disappointing 2-2 draw against Moldovan side Petrocub. The reaction of the Jambos supporters to the European exit had been swift, leading to calls for change within the club’s management.
On this occasion, the heart of the matter was not just the victory but also the empty seats visible across the Gorgie Road Stand. The Gorgie Ultras opted to skip this match as part of their protest against the club’s board, particularly targeting CEO Andrew McKinlay and chairwoman Ann Budge for what many perceive as mismanagement. This decision to boycott was loud and clear, emphasizing their dissatisfaction with the club's direction.
"The Gorgie Ultras decided to skip this afternoon’s clash in protest against the Jambos board and the general running of the club," reported Not The Old Firm. Such waves of discontent are troubling signs for the club, especially with the Edinburgh derby against Hibs on the horizon, which is expected to draw the Ultras back to support their team.
Despite the frustrations of the fans, Hearts managed to secure the victory, moving up to 10th place, just above their defeated opponents St Johnstone. The importance of this win cannot be overstated, not only upgrading their league standing at the holiday season but also lifting some of the pressure off their coach Neil Critchley, who has come under scrutiny after two wins out of ten matches.
The win at Tynecastle restores some belief among the players and staff, with the team needing to show consistency to climb out of the relegation battle. The match showed promise as the players seemed to play with more urgency and resolve, especially after their recent European disappointment.
Critchley will be relieved to see the team back on track, at least for now, but challenges remain. The fans’ boycott underlines the need for improvement, as over 1,000 seats remained empty during the match, reflecting the sentiment among the loyal supporters who feel let down by the club’s leadership.
On the other hand, St Johnstone's performance was commendable, with manager Simo Valakari insisting spirit has not been quashed, even after suffering another defeat which sees them at the bottom of the table. The visitors showed glimpses of attacking threat, and their persistence impressed some observers at Tynecastle.
Looking forward, both teams face pivotal matches over the festive season, where each point becomes more valuable as the relegation battle heats up. For Hearts, the focus will shift back to their supporters, and they will hope to welcome back the Ultras for the key derby against Hibs, where both pride and points are at stake once again.
Through grit and determination, Hearts have taken their first small step toward recovery. With fans venturing cautiously back, the team must deliver results to rekindle the lost connection with their supporters.
