Hearts 2-0 St Mirren: Gordon saves and Kingsley free-kick makes the difference

Stephen Kingsley makes it 2-0 with a free kick.

Another superb performance from Craig Gordon and a spectacular free-kick from Stephen Kingsley made the difference as Hearts moved back up to second place in the Scottish Premiership.

Gary McKay-Steven, restored to the starting line-up in one of four changes made by head coach Robbie Neilson, fired home his fourth of the season to put Hearts in front in the 61st minute after a non-eventful first half.

Kingsley’s superb strike 15 minutes later secured a much-need victory after a tepid first-half performance from the Tynecastle side.

Not for the first time, the men in maroon had Gordon to thank for keeping them in it with a string of world-class stops before McKay-Steven’s opener. But the opening goal was a turning point, giving Hearts the lift they needed.

Craig Gordon makes a stunning second half save to deny Jamie McGrath.

Kingsley’s free-kick, capping another solid performance from the left centre-back, took out the game beyond St Mirren’s reach.Midfielder Beni Baningime was stretchered off near the end with a knee injury, which could make him a doubt for the midweek trip to Celtic coming up. But the three points were secure by then.

The visitors finished with ten men when captain Joe Shaughnessy, booked for a high challenge on Liam Boyce in the first half, was sent off for a second yellow deep into injury time.

Tinkering rather than wholesale change is what Neilson said was required after last week’s disappointing defeat at Motherwell, where the head coach felt his team were “bullied” into submission.

He had vowed to stick with the 3-4-3 formation that has generally served Hearts well over the course of the season, so it was no surprise to see the same shape being deployed.

What did change was the personnel. Boyce, McKay-Steven, Andy Halliday and Craig Halkett returned to the team as Neilson made four changes following last week’s disappointing defeat away to Motherwell.