It is a result which piles on more pressure following Tuesday’s Scottish Cup exit to Highland League side Brora Rangers.
Queen of the South came away with a 3-2 win from Tynecastle aided by some very generous defending from the home side. Mihai Popescu gave the ball away early on for Connor Shields to score, while Andy Irving netted the visitors’ third with an inexplicable own goal.
Hearts had came from 2-0 down to level thanks to goals from Popescu and Armand Gnanduillet but they didn’t show enough to get the three points.
How did the Hearts players rate?
Player ratings scale - 10: One of the best performances you've seen. 9: Outstanding. 8: Very good. 7: Good. 6: Average. 5: Poor, 4: Very poor. 3: A terrible day at the office. 2: Abysmal. 1: One of the worst performances you've seen.
. EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MARCH 27: The Hearts' players warm up before a Scottish Championship match between Hearts and Queen of the South at Tynecastle, on March 27, 2021, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)
How did the Hearts players rate against Queen of the South. Picture: SNS Photo: Rob Casey - SNS Group
. Ross Stewart - 6
Caught off his line for Sheilds’ excellent second. Little chance with goal one and three. Photo: Bill Murray - SNS Group
. Craig Halkett - 5
Didn’t look comfortable at right-back, hesitant at times. Not the confident, assertive defender Hearts signed. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
. Mihai Popescu - 5
Disastrous start to the game, giving the ball away for the first. Made amends somewhat with the first goal but not clean with clearances and erratic on the ball. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
1. Ross Stewart - 6
Caught off his line for Sheilds’ excellent second. Little chance with goal one and three. Photo: Bill Murray - SNS Group
2. Craig Halkett - 5
Didn’t look comfortable at right-back, hesitant at times. Not the confident, assertive defender Hearts signed. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
3. Mihai Popescu - 5
Disastrous start to the game, giving the ball away for the first. Made amends somewhat with the first goal but not clean with clearances and erratic on the ball. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
4. Christophe Berra - 5
Appeared to play Shields onside for the second goal. Forced the issue at times from the left side of the back three but was part of a slack backline. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group