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.
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.
. 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
5. Aidy White - 4
A poor performance. Very wasteful with the ball, passing out of play, failing to cross when needed and then over hitting crosses when he did. Photo: Ross Parker - SNS Group
6. Andy Irving - 5
Wayward is probably the best way to describe the midfielder’s performance prior to the inexplicable own goal. It’s hard to say anything else. Photo: Craig Foy - SNS Group
7. Andy Halliday - 6
One of the team’s better performers. Switched play quite well, looked to support. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
8. Aaron McEneff - 5
A difficult afternoon for the Irishman. Wasn’t in the game as a winger and, like a couple of team-mates, was unsure in his position as a wing-back. Guilty of giving the ball away too often. Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group