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10 men claim huge three points after early red card
No one said it was going to be easy. For the second game in a row, Hearts were reduced to ten men in the first half. For the second game in a row, they drew on reserves of application, determination and skill that even they might be surprised to find they possess to eke out a potentially defining three points.
Just give them the title now. Well, in a normal, functioning football environment, that would actually be the case. They’ve played everyone twice, home and away, and are six points clear. Like their nearest rivals, they have played 22 games.
They will not be moved. This is their story, this is their song. Manager Derek McInnes will have to revise his statement, made in the aftermath of Sunday’s victory over Dundee at Dens Park, that he had just witnessed the “best one yet” when it came to victories.
Hearts' Tomas Magnusson celebrates after scoring to make it 2-0 over St Mirren for the 10 men. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS GroupSecond-half goals from skipper Lawrence Shankland and substitute Tomas Magnusson earned them another against-the-odds win after midfielder Beni Baningime was sent off for a terrible lunge on Roland Idowu just 15 minutes in.
McInnes had appealed for Hearts fans to create a raucous atmosphere. They responded with impressive brio. The delay to the teams entering the field helped increase the sense of anticipation. The always adaptable Tynecastle Tannoy Man put his shoulder to the wheel. He allowed the fans to create the noise and kept his input to a minimum. “We need everything from everyone!” he eventually urged. With twirling scarves greeting the players, it was just like old times.
Sometimes in such circumstances, the expending of such energy means the support can ebb away once the game begins. Not here, however. Mind you, it was a feeling of indignation that helped maintain decibel levels. Fury stoked the embers and while it was misplaced – Baningime’s red was of the stonewall variety - it was certainly effective.
Still, it isn’t what the fans will have wanted - referee Kevin Clancy was jeered mercilessly at the end – and it certainly isn’t what McInnes desired having navigated a tough fixture at Dens with a reduced number of players as recently as four days earlier.
These circumstances were yet more challenging. Only 15 rather than 44 minutes had elapsed for starters when they were deprived of a man. And although they were at least at home on this occasion, they did not already have a goal advantage.
Baningime was having as good a game as anyone in these initial stages but will forever lament his poor touch in the middle of the Hearts half before careering into Idowu. In fairness to the midfielder, Stuart Findlay’s pass had put him in a pickle. Still, the challenge was high, late and horrible. The biggest controversy was why Clancy only pulled out the yellow card at first. An invitation to consult the pitch-side monitor led to the inevitable red.
Hearts' Beni Baningime looks dejected after being shown a red card following a VAR check against St Mirren. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS GroupIn contrast to the weekend, when Hearts lost goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow and brought on Craig Gordon, it did not require an immediate personnel re-shuffle. McInnes tweaked the formation, with Blair Spittal, one of four changes from Sunday, shifted into the middle to cover for Baningime’s absence.
Hearts lived dangerously, no question. Idowu bent a delicious shot round Gordon, making his first club start of the season, after 20 minutes that went in off the far post but he had already strayed offside, something verified after a check. On the half hour mark the same player again thought he’d scored after knocking in a rebound from his own shot. But as with ten minutes earlier, a VAR review, slightly longer this time, confirmed he had been offside from the original pass into him by Alex Gogic.
Hearts still created chances. Braga lifted over the bar having been put through following a mistake by St Mirren defender Richard King while Shamal George was forced into a double save from Alexandros Kyziridis and Braga shortly before the interval.
McInnes decided against changes at half time and when Shankland turned in Spittal’s cross on the hour mark, his 14th goal of the season, Hearts now had something to defend. The home manager made a triple substitution seven minutes later, with Spittal, Braga and Kyziridis withdrawn. Jamie McCart, Magnusson and Landry Kabore were sent on. Shankland then made way for Frankie Kent as Hearts reverted to the old five centre-halves trick, one that proved so fruitful at Dens.
Shankland could afford to smile this time, in contrast to his demeanour in Dundee. The smiles were broader still when Magnusson was the player in the right position when following up Milne’s saved shot to head Hearts two in front. The night ten men won the league? Not yet, of course. But watch this space.