Hearts vs St Johnstone

2022 - 8 - 28

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Football Scotland"

Hearts vs St Johnstone team news as Lawrence Shankland, Barrie ... (Football Scotland)

Robbie Neilson has rotated after a European game again as Lewis Neilson gets his first start.

Saints have former Jambo Ryan McGowan in their line-up and are captained by ex-Hibs midfielder Melker Hallberg. [ Gary Mackay-Steven,](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/gary-mackay-steven) Andy Halliday and Josh Ginnelly also coming into the XI. [Lawrence Shankland](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/lawrence-shankland), Barrie McKay and Alan Forrest on the bench for the visit of St Johnstone today.

Hearts 3-2 St Johnstone: Lawrence Shankland penalty wins it for ... (Sky Sports)

Lawrence Shankland converts from spot nine minutes from time after Liam Gordon brought down Barrie McKay; Kye Rowles and Liam Boyce had struck after Graham ...

Late in the first half, Hearts suffered another injury blow when Boyce collapsed in agony while trying to pick up the scraps as Saints midfielder Phillips clattered into Cammy Devlin. The Australian injured himself in the process and had to go off soon afterwards. Six minutes later, Haring's powerful free-kick was blocked by the face of Melker Hallberg and Halliday blasted his half-volley just wide from the rebound.

3 talking points as Hearts cope with repeated injury blows to see off ... (Scottish Daily Record)

Goalscorers Kye Rowles and Liam Boyce were both forced off along with Nathaniel Atkinson in 3-2 win for Robbie Neilson's team.

Given the lack if defensive options after today, then this could be a chance for Neilson to rack up a run of games. But a poor kick with his weaker foot gifted Carey the opener after five minutes. By the time the number nine got his shot away, Matthews was back in goal and kept it out. Hearts tried to hit back through Josh Ginnelly after he was sent in behind by Liam Boyce, but the wide man sliced his shot high and wide of goal. Nathaniel Atkinson was a second half casualty as the injuries mounted up. Robbie Neilson had injuries and suspensions to contend with even before this one kick-off. It proved pivotal as Saints went up the other end and equalised. Hearts then hit the woodwork again. [Craig Gordon](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/craig-gordon) mistakes are as rare as hens' teeth, but the Scotland number one was culpable for [St Johnstone](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/st-johnstone-fc) ’s early opener. They turned the game around on the half hour mark. Gary Mackay-Steven floated a corner into the six yard box and Kye Rowles wanted it the most, powering a header past Remi Matthews to score his first Hearts goal. Just three days after their Europa League playoff defeat to FC Zurich, the Jambos returned to winning ways.

Hearts starting XI v St Johnstone confirmed as decisions made on ... (Edinburgh Live)

The Jambos take on the Perthshire Saints this afternoon at Tynecastle as they turn their focus back to domestic matters following a Europa League play-off ...

“We were brilliant, it’s probably one of the best performances we’ve had. You could see that in the first-half performance especially. [Stephen Kingsley](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/all-about/stephen-kingsley) faced a fitness check after going off with a tight hamstring in Thursday’s Europa League defeat by Zurich and isn't used here. This comes less than 72 hours after their Europa League play-off match with FC Zurich. Promoted Stories [Hearts](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/all-about/heart-of-midlothian) in good stead ahead of the [Europa Conference League](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/all-about/europa-conference-league) group stages matches they'll play this season.

Hearts 3-2 St Johnstone: Worrying injuries during vital league win ... (Edinburgh News)

A triumvirate of injuries left Hearts counting the cost of this result after a narrow victory over St Johnstone.

Phillips was cautioned and the Northern Irishman waved his arms in agony on the turf. Another late challenge, this time from visiting substitute Liam Gordon on McKay inside the box, brought Hearts a winner. Atkinson fell holding his leg and became the nexy player withdrawn as St Johnstone’s physical approach angered locals. With Toby Sibbick and Alex Cochrnane suspended, the Hearts squad was stretched to its limit. He appeared to catch his foot in the turf stretching for the ball as Phillips tackled Devlin right beside him. Boyce caused most concern when being stretchered from the field during a chaotic first half.

Callum Davidson 'furious' over the way St Johnstone lost at Hearts (The Scotsman)

Angry at the way his team shot themselves in the foot, St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson said that their inability to handle the basics cost them a share ...

“At the moment I’m a bit raw – emotions are a bit tender. [Liam Boyce](/topic/liam-boyce). Angry at the way his team shot themselves in the foot, St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson said that their inability to handle the basics cost them a share of the points at Tynecastle.

Callum Davidson 'furious , raw and tender' after St Johnstone let it ... (Edinburgh News)

St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson had no complaints about the winning penalty but was “furious” with his team for shooting themselves in the foot against ...

Craig Gordon catches the ball and we have to deal with it. I believe, they way we played, we should get something from it and we didn’t. “We worked really hard to get ourselves back in the game. We get a goal from a corner. But we have to organise ourselves better. We went a goal up and let them back into the game. But he was not impressed with the way his team allowed Hearts to break so quickly, the attacking stemming from goalkeeper Craig Gordon’s quick throw out. It’s not acceptable how we lost the goals. Nobody rings the edge of the box and we get done on a counter. Davidson explained: “Our free-kick, we go long. We take a long throw in, Craig Gordon catches it. Second half, I made changes and we started pretty well.

Hearts vs St Johnstone