'Win them and they win the league' - Hearts told victories in two key fixtures could see them over finish line
The Jambos are just five post-split games away from Scottish Premiership title glory
Former Hearts star Steven Naismith reckons if his old side manage to beat Hibs and Rangers in their next two Premiership fixtures, that it will be enough to secure them the title.
Derek McInnes’ side sit a point ahead of Danny Rohl’s men and three clear of Celtic going into the split in what is their best opportunity of top-flight glory since 1960. The Jambos are currently being put through their paces at a warm-weather training camp in Spain, taking advantage of their week off during Scottish Cup semi-final weekend.
When they return to Scotland, first up is the small matter of an Edinburgh Derby at Easter Road against Hibs before they host Rangers at Tynecastle on a Bank Holiday Monday. They will then face Motherwell, Falkirk and Celtic respectively.
Naismith claims Hearts are two games from league glory
Last weekend’s 3-1 comeback victory gainst the Steelmen cemented Hearts’ place at the top before their mini-break. And Naismith believes that if they can win their next two ahead of the trip to Fir Park, they could have the league all-but wrapped up.
A win against Hibs and Rangers would by no means mathematically secure the trophy for the Gorgie club, but their former boss claims the momentum they would get from that would be enough to see them through the last three. Speaking on the Warm Up podcast alongside Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton, he said: “The first two for Hearts after the split - they’ll determine everything. If they can do that. Win them and they win the league.”
Hearts have a similar record against Hibs and Rangers this season, having beaten them both twice and lost once. The last time they visited Easter Road, they lost 3-2 in a match where they failed to turn up until late into the second half. Meanwhile, Hearts emerged 2-1 victors over the Light Blues in their last Gorgie outing, but the Ibrox club are unbeaten in the league since then.
Naismith lauds Hearts’ resilience in Motherwell win
Hearts maintained their unbeaten home league record despite the early scare against the Well as Claudio Braga, Lawrence Shankland and Pierre Landry Kabore launched the comeback after Emmanuel Longelo’s opener. The hosts showed great character to get themselves back into the game, similar to their August stalemate with Jens Berthel Askou’s side when they came back from three goals down to share the points.
Naismith feels Hearts can ill-afford similar setbacks in their remaining five ‘cup finals’, but reckons it could be a pivotal three points. He continued: “Motherwell played like they did the first time at Tyne Castle for the first hour. They were really good. (Tawanda) Maswanhise and (Emmanuel) Longelo both missed chances. But they've missed their chances and Hearts took theirs.
“Hearts defensively need to be better in the split, I think. But at Tynecastle, when you're one down, it can be a really tough place. I think this weekend was one of those big moments. There's a bigger picture look here. Hearts fans are thinking we're five games away from making history. It would be unbelievable.”