Hearts secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Motherwell on May 10, 2025, at Tynecastle, effectively cementing their place in the Premiership for another season. The win came on the back of a solid performance, highlighted by a brace from Lawrence Shankland and a late goal from Alan Forrest.
Shankland opened the scoring after 30 minutes, capitalizing on a defensive error from Motherwell. A long ball forward was misjudged by defender Stephen O'Donnell, allowing Shankland to take control, check back inside, and slot the ball low into the corner of the net. This goal not only set the tone for the match but also marked a significant moment for Shankland, who has struggled to find the net as frequently this season compared to his previous campaigns.
Motherwell, who had secured their safety in the league the previous weekend with a win against Dundee, looked to respond. Callum Slattery came close to equalizing in the 38th minute when he volleyed home a rebound from a free kick. However, his goal was disallowed after a VAR review determined that Dan Casey had interfered with play, leaving the visitors frustrated.
As the match progressed into the second half, Hearts took full control. Shankland doubled the lead in the 60th minute, heading home a brilliant cross from James Penrice. Just two minutes later, Forrest put the game beyond doubt, following up on a parried effort from goalkeeper Aston Oxborough after Yan Dhanda's strike. Forrest's close-range finish capped off a dominant performance.
Hearts now sit seventh in the table, with an eight-point cushion over Ross County in 11th place. They will face St Johnstone midweek before concluding their season away to Kilmarnock. A win in either of those matches would secure their safety for good.
The match also saw an unexpected debut for goalkeeper Ryan Fulton, who stepped in for the injured Craig Gordon. Fulton performed admirably, making several key saves and even contributing an assist, earning a solid rating of 7/10 from observers.
Motherwell's manager Michael Wimmer will have mixed feelings about the performance. Despite a promising start, which included Slattery's long-range effort that hit the bar, the team failed to capitalize on their chances and were ultimately punished for defensive lapses. Wimmer's focus will now shift to assessing his squad as they prepare for the next season.
As the dust settles on this match, Hearts can take pride in their performance, with Shankland's two goals providing a much-needed boost in confidence. With the season winding down, every point becomes crucial, and the Jambos will be looking to finish strong in their remaining fixtures.
Here's how we rated the players from both teams:
Hearts:
Ryan Fulton - 7/10: A solid debut for the third-choice keeper, making several key saves and contributing to the team's defensive efforts.
Lawrence Shankland - 9/10: A standout performance with two goals, showcasing his ability to finish under pressure.
Alan Forrest - 8/10: Vital in attack, scoring the third goal and providing support throughout the match.
Motherwell:
Aston Oxborough - 5/10: Struggled to deal with the pressure, unable to stop the goals that came his way.
Callum Slattery - 7/10: Impressive in midfield, nearly scoring before having a goal disallowed.
Stephen O'Donnell - 5/10: Made a critical error leading to Hearts' first goal, failing to read the long ball.
As Hearts look ahead to their next match, the focus will be on maintaining momentum and securing their position in the league. With Shankland finding his form at the right time, the Jambos will be a force to reckon with in the closing stages of the season.
